Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blanché. Dir. Pamela B. Green. Karo Lorber. 2019. Kanopy. 103 minutes.
For more information: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3146022/
Language: English
Subtitles: English
Setting: 1896-1968, France (Paris and Nice) and throughout the U.S.
Remarks: Green’s archival research and investigative tactics astound. Diving into Guy-Blanché’s career, Green recreates the filmmaker as an artist and as a person. I had only heard of Guy-Blanché in passing. This film introduced me to her more effectively than I could have done researching on my own. Although the Gaumont’s blatant ignorance of Guy-Blanché’s work frustrates me, I’m amazed at all the information that has been recovered since Guy-Blanché’s death. Be Natural inspires admiration for the pioneering filmmaker and for the research process.
Keywords: 1920s, erasure, female filmmakers, Gaumont, workplace