Idéale audience

Harlem in Montmartre, Jazz story in Paris

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, and over the next two decades, they created an expatriate community of musicians, entertainers, and entrepreneurs, primarily congregating in Paris’ hilly Montmartre neighbourhood.
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 archival footage of such key figures as James Reese Europe, Josephine Baker, Sidney Bechet, Bricktop, Eugene Bullard, Django Reinhardt, and many more.

Director :
Dante J. James
Olivier Simonnet

Producer :
Co_production :
Thirteen-WNET (USA), Vanguard Documentaries (USA),
Idéale Audience, Arte France
Produced by : Hélène Le Cœur and Margaret Smilov

Running time :
82', 58'

Format :
HDCAM

Year of production :
2009

Distributor(s) / Sales Agent(s) :
Doc&Film
http://www.docandfilm.com/

Cast :
Main Artists :
James Reese Europe,
Joséphine Baker,
Sidney Bechet,
Ada "Bricktop" Smith,
Eugène Bullard,
Louis Amstrong
Duke Ellington,
Django Reinhardt,
Stéphane Grapelli
Dizzie Gillespie

Date and shoot location :
Paris & New York, 2008

Festivals / Awards :
Award of Best documentary - Festival PANAFRICAIN, 2010