Paris Was a Woman (1996)

Paris Was a Woman (1996) is a vivid exploration of a unique and vibrant community of women - artists, writers, photographers, designers, and adventurers - who found solace in the freedom of Paris between the wars. Many of these women, some lesbian, embraced France with open arms, fostering an exceptional ex-pat culture that was a far cry from the societal constraints they'd left behind. The heart of this cultural revolution lays in the Left Bank, where the indomitable Gertrude Stein, with Alice B. Toklas at her side, plays the role of mentor to artistic greats such as Picasso and Matisse. At the tender age of 23, Adrienne Monnier pioneers a bookshop and lending library, ensuring that women of limited means can access the world through literature. Her companion, Sylvia Beach, takes inspiration from Monnier's innovation, modeling her own establishment, Shakespeare and Co., after the groundbreaking shop. Meanwhile, Natalie Barney's Friday literary salon becomes a beacon of intellectual exchange, surviving as a fixture for 12 years. Janet Flanner, through her "Letter from France" for the New Yorker, provides a running chronicle of these remarkable women and the cultural hub they've shaped in the Left Bank. The film is a rich tapestry of archival footage, music, paintings, literature, and firsthand accounts from those who were present during this dynamic era. It delves into the lives and works of not only Stein, Toklas, Monnier, and Barney, but also Berenice Abbott, Gisele Freund, Djuna Barnes, Colette, and others, with appearances from the likes of Hemingway and James Joyce. Paris Was a Woman is a testament to the power of these women and their enduring influence on art, literature, and culture.

Paris Was a Woman is a documentary movie featuring Gisèle Freund and directed by Greta Schiller.

Paris Was a Woman is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Paris Was a Woman on Kino Now.