Sex, Decadence and the Second Empire

Interview with Director Leslie Zemeckis

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Because I felt these women, courtesans, were vastly unknown, stigmatized and previously examined by male historians. I knew they were the superstars of their day, popular and written positively about, yet history has relegated them to labels "prostitutes" which they were not.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

It is an eye-opening fascinating delve into the women that were muses to artists and writers such as Degas, Manet, Baudelaier, Balzac, Courbet, Toulouse-Latrec and dozens of others.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The women we marginalize and label were women, with a past, history of how they came to be the notorious creatures they were. They do not need to be condemned for their choices, but understand what they accomplished in a man's world. The theme of overcoming and prevailing is universal.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

Both the script and the film peeled back layers of what we previously thought of these muses, to understand they were complicated, charming, members of society.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

With all the awards and enthusiasm and word of mouth, the film has been positively received and recommended.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

More eyes, and opportunities for the film.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Distributors.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

A positive one.

Grandes Horitzontales - Actors Minxie Mimeux and Michelle L’Amour with director Leslie Zemeckis and DP CLay Westervelt.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Were these women prostitutes?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Another book, and a web series.

Interview: March 2022.

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Grandes Horitzontales

Writer

Award-winning documentarian and best selling author LESLIE ZEMECKIS introduces her mutli-award winning documentary on the courtesans of the Second Empire, France. ZEMECKIS is about to receive the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for her work highlighting marginalized women.

Director

LESLIE ZEMECKIS is an award-winning documentarian. Her first film premiered on ShowTime, Behind the Burly Q to rave reviews. Her second film Bound by Flesh debuted on Netflix at number 5. Her other film Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer won multiple awards.

Producer

ROBERT ZEMECKIS is an Oscar winning director and producer known for Back to the Future, Forrest Gump and Castaway amongst dozens of other hits.

Key cast:

Dianna Miranda, Michelle L'Amour, Mosh, Minxie Mimieu

Looking for:

distributors

Social media:

http://lfacebook.com/lesliezemeckis

http://instagram.com/lesliezemeckis

http://twitter.com/Lesliezemeckis

Hashtags used:

#documentary #grandeshorizontales #zemeckis