Paula Patton will step in the shoes of American-born French entertainer – Josephine Baker, in an upcoming biopic about the late cultural figure.
Entitled ‘Josephine Baker’s Last Dance’ – the new movie is based on novelist Sherry Jones’s 2018 released book of the same name.
Patton, who’s mostly regarded for her roles in movies like Precious, Deja Vu and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, will take on the starring role of Baker – narrating her fascinating life and rise to prominence. She is also going to produce the project.
“Josephine Baker had an incredible life and was a remarkable woman,” Patton said speaking about the project. “It’s been a childhood dream of mine to play such an inspirational person and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to tell her story.”
Josephine Baker was the first African American to star in a major motion picture back in 1927. A renowned dancer and performer to French audiences, she was highly regarded for her unorthodox dressing choices and dancing style, which invited as much praise from intellectuals as criticism from those who found it titillating and much too revealing, or stereotype-inducing for that matter.
But Baker was known to walk her own distinct path, be it her dancing, on-stage performances or slapstick comedy. She continued to challenge the norms throughout her career, breaking doors for several other artists of color to follow her lead.
We can only hope Patton’s take on Ms. Baker’s life, will have the scale and means, allowing her to do full justice to the overall depiction of her grand tale.