FKA Twigs will star as Josephine Baker in a new biopic from the director Maimouna Ducourethis manager Cute. The project will begin shooting this fall, with Studiocanal financing and co-producing the film. Studiocanal will also begin sales for the project in Cannes now that deals for Twigs and Doucouré have closed.
The as-yet-untitled film will follow Baker’s life from her birth in St. Louis in 1906 to her rise to Paris after moving to France in 1925. Baker became one of the defining performers of Jazz Age through dance, music and film, she then expanded her public role far beyond the stage. During World War II, he joined the French Resistance and supported the Allied nations in the fight against fascism. In the 1950s and 1960s, he became an important voice in the American Civil Rights Movement.
Twigs described Baker as a figure whose story still holds power. “It is an honor to work with the extremely talented Maïmouna Doucouré on this incredible project.” she said. “Josephine Baker’s extraordinary legacy is such an inspiration to me and so many people around the world. She lives on in our hearts as a visionary, trailblazing woman whose story is as powerful as it is relevant today. I look forward to embodying Josephine Baker by bringing her struggle, her love, her losses, her talent and her heroism to the big screen.”
The role follows Twigs’ recent acting work A24‘small Mother Mary. For the artist, Baker offers a rare subject on screen: a performer whose life has moved through fame, political risk, public scrutiny and activism. The film aims to approach this story through Baker’s creative drive, personal loss and public struggle for dignity.
Doucouré will write and direct the film, and will also produce through her company Bien Ou Bien Prods.next to Studiocanal and CPB Films. Baker’s sons, Jean-Claude Bouillon Baker and Brian Bouillon Bakersupport the project, along with Rainbow Tribethe name Baker gave her adopted children.
“Josephine Baker has lived with me for years. Working on this film, I realize how modern, fearless and complex she was.” Ducouret said. “Beyond the legend, I want to explore her contradictions, her wounds and her immense courage, as well as her relentless fight for dignity.” He added that FKA Twigs brings “Rare artistry, intelligence and emotional depth” in the role.
CEO of Studiocanal and Director of Content for Canal+ Group Anna Marsh said the company had long wanted to tell Baker’s story. He cited Doucouré’s direction and Twigs’ performance as pivotal to the film’s strength, calling the project “particularly important” to the studio.
