Like many creative fields, literature has historically been a boys’ club, often leaving women forced to write under male pseudonyms or under great privilege to have a hope of getting published. And in the case of celebrated French author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, she didn’t even get the credit for her famous Claudine novels – instead, her husband Henry ‘Willy’ Gauthier-Villars stamped his name on the front and took all the plaudits. Now Colette’s story has been dramatised by Still Alice director Wash Westmoreland, with Keira Knightley starring as the literary icon and Dominic West as Willy.
As well as attempting to wrestle the credit back for her immensely popular work, Colette lived fearlessly and broke heteronormative societal values, embarking on same-sex relationships and stepping out in gender-neutral clothing. It’s a fascinating life story shot through with feminist themes, set against the backdrop of Paris at a turning point in history – and it’s coming out during Oscar season, so this one’s looking very promising.
Colette hits UK cinemas on 25 January, and will get an early airing at the BFI London Film Festival on 11 October.
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