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Myth of a Colorblind France

Play trailer 1:50 Poster for Myth of a Colorblind France 2020 1h 26m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
For more than a century, African American artists, authors, musicians and others have traveled to Paris to liberate themselves from the racism of the United States. What made these African Americans choose France? Why were the French fascinated by African Americans? And to what extent was and is France truly colorblind? Alan Govenar's new film investigates these questions and examines the ways that racism has plagued not only African Americans fleeing the United States, but Africans and people of color in France today. The film explores the lives and careers of renowned African Americans who emigrated to Paris, including Josephine Baker, James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Beauford Delaney, Augusta Savage, Barbara Chase-Riboud, and Lois Mailou Jones, and includes rare home movie footage of Henry Ossawa Tanner in Paris. Myth of a Colorblind France features interviews with Michel Fabre (author of a landmark biography on Richard Wright), psychoanalyst and jazz aficionado Francis Hofstein, poet James Emanuel, historian Tyler Stovall, filmmaker Thomas Allen Harris, graffiti artist Quik, hip hop producer Ben the Glorious Bastard, African drummer Karim Toure, and many more.

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Myth of a Colorblind France

Critics Reviews

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John DeFore The Hollywood Reporter 09/23/2020
Exasperatingly unfocused. Go to Full Review Neely Swanson Easy Reader (California) 02/19/2021
A joyful documentary that is sentimental and hard edged at the same time. It is exuberant and informative; worshipful history and clear-eyed. Go to Full Review Sarah Boslaugh TheArtsStl 02/16/2021
6/10
The materials presented make it interesting enough to watch, but the experience is also frustrating because you know the film could have been so much better. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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10/25/2020 Although I knew of some of the artists and writers we encounter in this documentary, others were new to me and I'm grateful to have learned of them. Some of the historic footage blew me away--Countee Cullen!! Watching this during the pandemic quarantine was moving--Paris streets, cafes, apartments! Loved this film. See more 10/22/2020 Very good to see this side of cultural history. The flow of how the film moved from one person's story to another was very well thought out. The film made what may have been a dry historical treatise an entertaining and enlightening experience. There was lots of historical photos an images woven throughout the film in a delightful way. And the many stories from those that were living the story were well chosen. See more 10/20/2020 Informative and entertaining, a must see! A great introduction to the history of African Americans in Paris. See more 10/18/2020 Richard Wright my grandfather chose Paris as his home when he chose exile from the US. Myth of a colour blind France completes another film Paris Noir by David and Joan Burke, as it studies in depth what African American expatriates of today and yesterday seek and find in Paris. I find the approach very interesting as It brings up the point of view of non American African migrants in Paris who experience discrimination. It is also a historical archive of some members of our Paris community some of whom have departed . I very much enjoyed this film. See more 10/17/2020 Incisive interviews and a compelling exploration of the art made by African Americans in France. The film shares perspectives that invite consideration of whether these expatriates faced less discrimination in France than in the United States, while recognizing the significant contributions made by these artists. See more anthony h 10/16/2020 Outstanding!! It was engaging and informative, providing unique perspectives on a surprisingly relevant subject. I highly recommend this film! See more Read all reviews
Myth of a Colorblind France

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Cast & Crew

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Alan Govenar

Director

Thomas Allen Harris

Actor

Akin Babatunde

Actor

Josephine Baker

Self

Barbara Chase-Riboud

Self

Alan Govenar

Writer
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Myth of a Colorblind France

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Myth of a Colorblind France

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Movie Info

Synopsis For more than a century, African American artists, authors, musicians and others have traveled to Paris to liberate themselves from the racism of the United States. What made these African Americans choose France? Why were the French fascinated by African Americans? And to what extent was and is France truly colorblind? Alan Govenar's new film investigates these questions and examines the ways that racism has plagued not only African Americans fleeing the United States, but Africans and people of color in France today. The film explores the lives and careers of renowned African Americans who emigrated to Paris, including Josephine Baker, James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Beauford Delaney, Augusta Savage, Barbara Chase-Riboud, and Lois Mailou Jones, and includes rare home movie footage of Henry Ossawa Tanner in Paris. Myth of a Colorblind France features interviews with Michel Fabre (author of a landmark biography on Richard Wright), psychoanalyst and jazz aficionado Francis Hofstein, poet James Emanuel, historian Tyler Stovall, filmmaker Thomas Allen Harris, graffiti artist Quik, hip hop producer Ben the Glorious Bastard, African drummer Karim Toure, and many more.
Director
Alan Govenar
Screenwriter
Alan Govenar
Distributor
First Run Features
Production Co
Documentary Arts
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 25, 2020
Runtime
1h 26m
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