FKA twigs has been cast to portray Josephine Baker in an upcoming biopic directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, the filmmaker behind the controversial Netflix film "Cuties." Doucouré will write and direct the project, which operates with the explicit approval and support of Baker's family, including her sons Jean-Claude Bouillon Baker and Brian Bouillon Baker, as well as members of the Rainbow Tribe, Baker's adopted children from multiple nations.
The choice of Doucouré marks a significant creative pairing. The French-Senegalese director made waves with "Cuties," a coming-of-age drama that sparked intense debate around its portrayal of young girls and social media culture. Her stylistic sensibility—layered, visually daring, unafraid of controversy—positions her to tackle Baker's equally complex legacy.
Baker remains one of entertainment's most magnetic figures. The American-born dancer, singer, and civil rights activist became an international sensation in 1920s Paris, where she revolutionized performance and became a symbol of Black liberation and resistance. She famously performed in her iconic banana skirt and later became a prominent voice against segregation and racism, civil rights work that extended throughout her life.
The involvement of Baker's surviving sons and the Rainbow Tribe carries weight. Their blessing suggests the film will honor her legacy with family input, potentially avoiding the sanitization that sometimes plagues biopics. This approach differs markedly from productions made without family collaboration.
FKA twigs, born Tahliah Barnett, brings her own artistic credibility to the role. The British singer, dancer, and visual artist has consistently challenged genre boundaries through her music videos and live performances. Her background in contemporary dance, combined with her willingness to undertake transformative creative roles, aligns with the demands of embodying a figure as dynamic and genre-defying as Josephine Baker.
This project enters a growing slate of Baker-related media interest, reflecting renewed cultural appetite for her story. The combination of Doucouré's provocative directorial