Alice Guy-Blache is considered to be the world's first female director and the first woman to own and run a film studio.
Cinema pioneer Alice Guy-Blache —
Alice Guy-Blache is considered to be the world's first female director and the first woman to own and run a film studio.
Between 1896 and 1920, the French director was involved in more than 1,000 films, ranging from Westerns and detective stories to melodramas and romantic comedies.
Cinema pioneer Alice Guy-Blache —
Between 1896 and 1920, the French director was involved in more than 1,000 films, ranging from Westerns and detective stories to melodramas and romantic comedies.
In 1907, she moved to the United States with her husband, Herbert Blache. Three years later, the couple, along with a third Gaumont executive, set up their own production company, Solax.
Cinema pioneer Alice Guy-Blache —
In 1907, she moved to the United States with her husband, Herbert Blache. Three years later, the couple, along with a third Gaumont executive, set up their own production company, Solax.
In 1912, she spent about $100,000 to build her own film studio in Fort Lee, New Jersey. At the time, the studio was state of the art.
Cinema pioneer Alice Guy-Blache —
In 1912, she spent about $100,000 to build her own film studio in Fort Lee, New Jersey. At the time, the studio was state of the art.
The pioneering director did more than 100 synchronized sound films years before sound was routinely used in movies. She was also one of the first directors to have used superimposition in cinema.
Cinema pioneer Alice Guy-Blache —
The pioneering director did more than 100 synchronized sound films years before sound was routinely used in movies. She was also one of the first directors to have used superimposition in cinema.
Courtesy Fort Lee Film Commission
When Guy-Blache died in 1968, she believed that nearly all her movies had been lost. But in recent decades, about 130 of her films have been uncovered.
Cinema pioneer Alice Guy-Blache —
When Guy-Blache died in 1968, she believed that nearly all her movies had been lost. But in recent decades, about 130 of her films have been uncovered.
Courtesy Fort Lee Film Commission
Guy-Blache's work -- what little of it has survived -- generally lives on in museum collections. New York's Whitney Museum had a <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitney.org%2FExhibitions%2FAliceGuyBlache" target="_blank" target="_blank">Guy-Blache exhibition in 2009-10</a>.
Cinema pioneer Alice Guy-Blache —
Guy-Blache's work -- what little of it has survived -- generally lives on in museum collections. New York's Whitney Museum had a Guy-Blache exhibition in 2009-10.
Courtesy Fort Lee Film Commission