The Trailblazing Journey of the First Female Director
A new series produced by HBO Max and France Télévisions will spotlight the life of Alice Guy Blaché, the first female director in the history of cinema. The series, titled Alice, will feature Academy Award-nominee Bérénice Bejo, known for her role in The Artist.
Alice Guy Blaché’s groundbreaking life and career will be portrayed on screen for the first time in Alice. The series traces her path from the artistic vibrancy of Paris during the Belle Époque through to the budding cinematic scenes of New York and early Hollywood.
The narrative delves into Alice’s multifaceted life as a director, businesswoman, spouse, and mother. Set against the backdrop of the nascent film industry, the series explores her romantic endeavors, professional struggles, and the continuous fight for her groundbreaking work to be acknowledged. Production is set to take place until December, with locations including France, Belgium, and Canada, and is scheduled for release next year.
Star-Studded Cast and Production Team
Bérénice Bejo is joined by an impressive cast, including Thibaut Evrard as Léon Gaumont, Alice’s mentor; Oscar Lesage as Herbert Blaché, Alice’s husband and business partner; Irène Jacob as Marie, her mother; and Yannick Choirat playing Charles Pathé, her competitor. These roles are filled by actors renowned for their diverse and rich contributions to film and television.
Behind the scenes, the series is crafted by creators Tim Loane, known for his work on Versailles and Marcella, and Claire Lemaréchal, who is currently involved in projects like the OSS 117 spin-off. They have co-written the series with André Gulluni. Direction is shared between Virginie Verrier and Guillaume Lonergan, ensuring a unique blend of storytelling and visual mastery. The show is a collaborative production effort involving HBO Max, France Télévisions, and several other European and Canadian companies.
A Celebratory and Inspirational Drama
Guillaume Le Gros, Vice President of Acquisitions at Warner Bros. Discovery, expressed pride in the project, highlighting the series as a tribute to a pivotal figure in film history who was long overlooked. He emphasized the series’ reflection of the company’s dedication to sharing inspiring, universal stories through collaborations with local talents globally.
Representatives from France Télévisions, Manuel Alduy and Morad Koufane, described Alice as a highly ambitious project that has been eagerly awaited since its announcement four years ago. They noted the series not only chronicles the life of a cinema pioneer but also celebrates her roles as a lover, mother, and entrepreneur. Alduy and Koufane stressed that Alice’s life was as cinematic as the medium she helped forge, making it a story deserving of the long-overdue recognition.
The series Alice aims to ensure the legacy of Alice Guy Blaché is not only remembered but celebrated, by bringing her monumental contributions to cinema and her dynamic personal life to screens around the world.
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