Harlem in Montmartre tells the story of the jazz age in Paris between the First and Second World Wars, exploring a fascinating, yet often neglected, era in African-American cultural history. After peace was signed at Versailles, many black Americans remained in Europe rather than return to the brutal segregation and racism of America. Over the next two decades, they created an expatriate community of musicians, entertainers and entrepreneurs, primarily congregating in Paris's hilly Montmartre neighborhood. Some achieved enduring fame, while others have faded into history. Inspired by the book by William A. Shack and utilizing rare archival material from both France and America, this remarkable documentary features footage of such key figures as James Reese Europe, Josephine Baker, Sidney Bechet, Bricktop, Eugene Bullard, Django Reinhardt, and many more.

France
Director : Dante James, Olivier Simonnet
Writer : Dante James, Olivier Simonnet, Allan Miller
based on : William A. Shack
Camera : Stéphane Nigentz-Gumushian, Dewald Aukema, Wolfgang Held
Sound : Gautam K. Choudhury
Editing : Damien Duflos de Saint Amand, Stéphane Foucault

Production :

Thirteen / WNET,
Mrs. Smilow,
10001-26 New York NY, USA

Hélène Le Coeur
Idéale Audience,
75009 Paris, France

Co-Production : ARTE France

Sales :
Hélène Le Coeur
Idéale Audience,
75009 Paris, France

Format: HD - 16/9. Colour and B&W
Running time: 1 h 22 mn
Year of production: 2009

FESTIVALS

2010 | France Noire/Black France, Paris, France
* Competition
* Avant-première parisienne (En présence du réalisateur du film)

2010 | FIPA, Biarritz, France
* Performing Arts