# FKA Twigs Transforms into Josephine Baker for Ambitious New Biopic Director Maïmouna Doucouré explores the legendary icon's complex life and resilience in a global production. - **Source:** [Variety](https://variety.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a0aa6566-70f2-47eb-b1c2-d19a12cb9a44 ## Ambitious Cinematic Transformation British artist FKA Twigs is currently filming a major biopic portraying Josephine Baker. The production, directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, captures the legendary entertainer's life across several decades. Filming recently took place in the Bois de Vincennes near Paris, featuring meticulous period costumes and a dedicated international cast and crew. ## Focusing on Human Vulnerability Director Maïmouna Doucouré aims to move beyond the iconic public image of Josephine Baker. The film explores the private wounds, flaws, and resilience that defined her extraordinary journey. By collaborating closely with Baker's sons, the production seeks to uncover the woman behind the historical figure inducted into the French Panthéon. ## Narrative Strategic Anchoring Rather than attempting a comprehensive chronological biography, the film focuses on Baker's 1951 return to the United States. This pivotal chapter highlights her confrontation with racial segregation after finding freedom in France. The narrative structure utilizes flashbacks to cover her childhood, resistance work, and rise in 1920s Paris. ## Rigorous Casting Process Doucouré conducted an extensive search across London, New York, and Los Angeles to find the lead actress. She required candidates to sing, dance, and perform dramatic scenes regardless of their fame. FKA Twigs secured the role after an audition that moved the director to tears, perfectly capturing Baker's unique essence. ## Multifaceted Performance Demands The role requires FKA Twigs to master multiple American accents and learn French within a short timeframe. Beyond acting, she must perform Baker's songs and replicate her distinctive physical language. Doucouré emphasized that the goal is to make the performances feel alive rather than simply imitating the legendary entertainer's movements. ## Overcoming Production Hurdles Developing the project proved to be a massive challenge, with at least 16 companies previously attempting to bring Baker's life to screen. The film spent four years in development, involving repeated rewrites and financial complexities. Zangro, the producer, described the ambitious undertaking as an Everest-like task for the entire team. ## Creative Global Filming Solutions Due to high costs in the United States, the production is shooting entirely in Europe. Filmmakers utilized backlots in Sofia, Bulgaria, to recreate Harlem and Broadway settings. Additionally, a parking lot in Saint-Denis was transformed into 1918 St. Louis, demonstrating the creative ingenuity required to maintain the film's historical scale. ## Uncompromising Costume Design Costume designer Emmanuelle Youchnovski opted to manufacture every garment rather than renting existing pieces. The team commissioned specialized artisans for buttons and embroidery, including workshops associated with Chanel and Schiaparelli. A significant challenge involved adapting the iconic banana skirt to fit the athletic physique of FKA Twigs for the production. ## Exploring Complex Social Themes The film addresses Baker's complicated relationship with the racial stereotypes of her era, particularly regarding the banana skirt. Doucouré highlights how Baker navigated these constraints to her advantage. Discussions with Baker's family also inform the portrayal, debating whether she should be viewed as a feminist or a broader humanist figure. ## Legacy and Contemporary Relevance Doucouré believes Baker's struggles against segregation and fascism remain deeply relevant in today's divided political climate. By focusing on her resilience, the film serves as a bridge between historical challenges and modern questions. The production concludes filming on November 13, with Studiocanal managing distribution across multiple international territories and markets. ## Sources covering this story - https://variety.com/2026/film/news/fka-twigs-josephine-baker-maimouna-doucoure-1236944739/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._