Ten Milestones in French Cinema

1896-1907 Gaumont Studios & Alice Guy - the world's first female director

In 1896, Alice Guy was a secretary for Léon Gaumont, owner of a photographic company. The sudden success of motion pictures led Gaumont to expand his company, and Guy was eager to try her hand at directing. "La Fée aux Choux" ("The Cabbage Fairy"), one of the earliest narrative films of all time, was her debut effort, and secured her place in history as the first woman to stand behind the camera. Guy moved to the United States in 1907, and she continued to direct films under her married name, Alice Guy-Blaché, until 1920. Gaumont remains one of France's largest production companies.