Villa Albertine

During the first few decades of cinema, the most innovative and renowned U.S. filmmakers were women. Guy-Blaché laid the foundations of cinematic language, while others, such as Mabel Normand (who taught Charlie Chaplin all about filmmaking), action star Grace Cunard, and LGBTQIA+ icon Alla Nazimova, took daring steps to develop the field further. Never shying away from controversy, filmmakers such as Lois Weber and Dorothy Davenport Reid tackled explosive and controversial issues such as birth control, abortion and prostitution. They were creative, free and audacious filmmakers.

These women were true artists, incredible visionaries and militant activists. So how is it that such an important body of work has been overlooked?

In light of the Supreme Court’s recent overturning of Roe v Wade—which had protected women’s reproductive rights since 1973—and the ever-increasing segregation between communities in the U.S., we at Métamorphose believe this research to be vital. We will use it to create a cinema-concert in 2024/2025 with the support of the Ferme de Bel Ebat - Guyancourt Theater. The research residency will take place in Washington D.C. (United States), thanks to the support of the Villa Albertine.