FKA Twigs will star as Jazz Age icon Josephine Baker in a brand new film biopic from “Cuties” filmmaker Maimouna Doucouré, which begins filming this fall.
Variety previously reported that the Grammy-winning artist was in negotiations to painting the trailblazing American-born French dancer, singer, actor and civil rights activist within the movie, which is financed and co-produced by Studiocanal. With Twigs and Doucouré’s offers formally closed, Studiocanal will launch worldwide gross sales for the mission at Cannes.
“I am honoured to collaborate with the immensely talented Maïmouna Doucouré on this incredible project,” FKA Twigs, who most just lately acted in A24’s “Mother Mary,” stated in a press release. “Josephine Baker’s extraordinary legacy is such an inspiration to me and to so many people around the world. She lives on in our hearts as a visionary, ground-breaking woman whose story is as powerful as it is relevant today. I cannot wait to embody Josephine Baker bringing her fight, her love, her losses, her talent and her heroism to the big screen.”
The yet-to-be-titled biopic intends to cowl Baker’s outstanding life story: born in St. Louis in 1906, she rose to fame after shifting to Paris in 1925. However Baker’s legacy resonates far past the stage. Throughout World Struggle II, she joined the French Resistance, supporting the Allied nations within the battle in opposition to fascism; then, within the Fifties and 60s, Baker turned a outstanding voice within the American Civil Rights Motion. The mission is in improvement with the assist of Baker’s sons, Jean-Claude Bouillon Baker and Brian Bouillon Baker, and the Rainbow tribe, which is what she dubbed her many adopted youngsters.
Along with writing and directing the film, Doucouré will produce beneath her Bien Ou Bien Productions banner, alongside Studiocanal and CPB Movies.
“Josephine Baker has lived with me for years. Working on this film, I realise how modern, fearless and complex she was,” the filmmaker started. “Beyond the legend, I want to explore her contradictions, her wounds and her immense courage, as well as her relentless fight for dignity.”
Doucouré added: “With the extraordinary FKA Twigs bringing her rare artistry, intelligence and emotional depth to the role, it is a huge honour to work with Studiocanal to bring Josephine’s story to the screen for a global audience: the story of a woman who never stopped reinventing herself and fighting for justice and equality.”
Studiocanal will launch the movie theatrically of their territories of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Benelux, Poland, Australia and New Zealand.
“Josephine Baker’s story is one we have long aspired to tell, and to do so with the exceptional creative vision of Maïmouna Doucouré and the remarkable talent of FKA twigs makes this project especially meaningful,” stated Anna Marsh, Studiocanal CEO & chief content material officer of Canal+ Group. “Their artistry, combined with Josephine Baker’s enduring legacy, promises a film that is both ambitious and profoundly authentic.”
FKA Twigs is represented by UTA, Untitled, UROK and Johnson, Shapiro, Slewett & Kole; and Maïmouna Doucouré is represented by UBBA in France and CAA within the US.
