Max de Mirecourt, famed French novelist, leaves for Tunisia in search of new ideas. During his stay, he meets Alwina, whose beauty and eccentricity inspire him to create the protagonist for his next novel. Introduced to Parisian high society, Alwina — played by Josephine Baker in one of her most iconic roles — quickly becomes the centre of attention. A milestone in African American representation in cinema, the film — selected by Gisela Casimiro to be shown in our Harlem Renaissance programme — reflects the social and cultural tensions of its time.