Chichester Cinema at New Park
Chasing a Rainbow:
The Life of Josephine Baker
MICK CSAKY (producer) & CHRIS RALLING (director) will be on hand to introduce the screening on SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2008.
Josephine Baker is little known in America, but she was a major star in France. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1906. An energetic black dancer gifted with an extraordinary figure, she was a performer in Broadway musicals while still in her teens.
She was invited to perform in France as part of a troupe. Her semi-nude dancing was a sensation in Paris, which had previously little exposure to American black culture. She expanded her range by becoming a film actress and singer. During the German occupation of France during World War II, Baker became a heroine due to her espionage efforts for the Free French, which are still shrouded in mystery.
After the war, Baker purchased an old French castle, where she raised nearly a dozen adopted children of mixed racial heritage. Financial mismanagement and a nervous breakdown eventually followed. However, she made a major comeback with the musical play “Bobino”, which celebrated her 50th anniversary in show business. When she died after giving a backstage party, she received a lavish state funeral fit for a queen.
This is a fascinating full length documentary, beautifully edited. Film and photo archives were researched across both Europe and America, with much rare and culturally priceless material included. Narrated by Oliver Todd, this is the first of 2 films produced by Mick Csaky showing this week. (Himalaya will also be screened.)
UK · 
France · 1986 · Christopher Ralling · 90min
