Josephine Baker is little known in America, but she was a major star in France. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1906. An energetic black dancer gifted with an extraordinary figure, she was a performer in Broadway musicals while still in her teens.
She was invited to perform in France as part of a troupe. Her semi-nude dancing was a sensation in Paris, which had previously little exposure to American black culture. She expanded her range by becoming a film actress and singer. During the German occupation of France during World War II, Baker became a heroine due to her espionage efforts for the Free French, which are still shrouded in mystery.
After the war, Baker purchased an old French castle, Les Milandes, where she raised nearly a dozen adopted children of mixed racial heritage. Financial mismanagement and a nervous breakdown eventually followed. However, she made a major comeback with the musical play "Bobino", which celebrated her 50th anniversary in show business. When she died after giving a backstage party, she received a lavish state funeral fit for a queen.
The keys to a successful documentary are research and editing. In both those respects, the film is very successful. Film and photo archives were researched across both Europe and America, with much rare (and culturally priceless) material included. The editing is also well done, with only a few complaints: some of the footage is not directly related to Baker, and sometimes the British narration takes an overly presumptuous attitude towards American race relations.
There is also considerable frontal nudity during the film's first half. The nudity is not gratuitous, however, as it was an integral part of Baker's stage performances during the 1920s.
All too often, documentaries fall short because their subject lacks interest, the research is not sufficient, the editing isn't focused, or the writer chooses the sentimental over the objective. These common traps are avoided with Chasing a Rainbow.
For the record, the film was narrated by Oliver Todd, edited by Noel Chanan, and directed by Christopher Ralling. Karla Ehrlich was the producer, and Mick Csaky was executive producer. (78/100)