In 1963, Italian filmmaker Mino Loy created 90 Notti in Giro per il Mondo, a documentary that was as much a celebration of the erotic arts as it was a subtle commentary on the societal challenges faced by transgender women. The film, whose title translates to "90 Nights Around the World," serves as a wide-reaching exploration of the world of burlesque, erotic arts, and performance cultures, including an intimate portrait of the legendary transgender performer Marie-Pierre Pruvot, also known as Bambi. 90 Notti in Giro per il Mondo is an engaging and evocative documentary, capturing a period of time when transgender performers were beginning to gain international recognition within cabaret and revue shows, particularly in Paris. The film documents not only the glamorous world of burlesque and striptease but also the emotional and social complexities surrounding performers who, at the time, navigated the challenges of identity, acceptance, and public perception.
As with many documentaries about marginalized communities, 90 Notti places its focus on the performances themselves while also revealing the behind-the-scenes realities of those living double lives, balancing public personas with private selves. Within this context, one of the most compelling figures that the documentary showcases is Marie-Pierre Pruvot, a trans woman whose career spanned both the glittering stages of Parisian cabaret and the academic halls of French universities. Born in Algiers on November 11, 1935, Marie-Pierre Pruvot’s path to becoming one of France’s most prominent transgender performers was as dramatic as it was inspiring.
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Marie-Pierre's journey began when she moved to Paris at the age of 18 to pursue her dreams of becoming a performer. In 1953, she joined Le Carrousel de Paris, a famous transgender revue, where she would eventually spend nearly two decades as one of its shining stars. It was here that Marie-Pierre adopted her stage name Bambi and became a beloved figure in the world of trans cabaret. While Le Carrousel was a vibrant and groundbreaking venue, it was also a space that reflected the complexity of the transgender experience. In those early years, Marie-Pierre and her colleagues performed in an environment where trans women were both celebrated for their beauty and artifice, yet still existed within a socially marginalized and often misunderstood sphere. The film 90 Notti provides a candid look into this world, showcasing the elaborate performances that these women brought to the stage - emphasizing the audacity and courage involved in living one's truth in an era when transgender people had little visibility in the public eye. Marie-Pierre was not alone in her pioneering journey.
The documentary also highlights the lives of other transgender performers such as Coccinelle (a fellow star of Le Carrousel) and April Ashley, two influential figures in the history of transgender entertainment. Through these performances, they were able to offer a rare visibility of trans women in popular culture, opening up a new space for acceptance and understanding in French society and beyond. However, what makes Marie-Pierre’s story particularly unique is how she balanced her life as a trans showgirl with her academic ambitions. Despite the glamour and excitement of the stage, Marie-Pierre always nurtured a passion for education. In the late 1970s, after she left Le Carrousel at the age of 38, she chose to pursue a career as a French literature teacher. Marie-Pierre’s commitment to higher education was profound, and her transition into academia marked a significant shift from her previous public persona, proving that the life of a transgender woman could be as intellectually rich and varied as any other.
In an interview conducted by Monika Kowalska and Elaine Walquist for the blog
Heroines of My Life, Marie-Pierre reflects on her time in the revue scene and the broader significance of her career. One of the most striking aspects of the conversation is Marie-Pierre’s candidness about the transgender experience in the mid-20th century. She acknowledges that her time as a performer at Le Carrousel was not just an opportunity to embrace her identity but also an expression of her artistic creativity in a world that often marginalized her. Marie-Pierre’s insights into the transgender experience are invaluable. She notes that, in those early years, it was difficult for her to find role models who were openly transgender, and she and her peers often felt isolated in their struggles. She recounts how the public’s awareness of transgender people in the 1950s and 1960s was limited to a handful of pioneers such as Christine Jorgensen and Roberta Cowell, yet these figures did not fully reflect the diversity of the trans experience. As a result, many transgender performers - like Marie-Pierre - were forced to carve their own paths, often without guidance or support.
The documentary also provides a fascinating glimpse into the camaraderie among performers like Coccinelle, April Ashley, and others. Despite facing adversity and discrimination, these women supported each other in both their professional and personal lives, forming a community that would go on to have a lasting impact on transgender culture in France. Marie-Pierre fondly remembers the international tours, the camaraderie with her fellow performers, and the unique blend of sensuality and self-expression that defined the revue scene.
Marie-Pierre's transition from performer to educator marks another important aspect of her life story. After leaving Le Carrousel, she began a career as a French literature teacher in 1974. Her decision to enter academia was driven by her desire for intellectual fulfillment and a passion for teaching. Her academic career spanned several decades, and in 2016, she was honored with the Ordre des Palmes Académiques, a prestigious recognition for her contributions to education. Marie-Pierre’s story speaks to the possibility of reinvention and growth. Even as she lived as an openly trans woman in a society that still struggled with acceptance, she pursued a career that many might have assumed would be closed to her. By embracing both her artistic and intellectual talents, she demonstrated that transgender people, like everyone else, have multifaceted identities that are not limited to any one aspect of their lives.
In the years since 90 Notti in Giro per il Mondo was released, much has changed in the representation of transgender individuals in media and culture. Transgender people have gradually gained more visibility, though challenges remain. Marie-Pierre’s legacy, as captured in this documentary, is a reminder of the struggles and triumphs of early transgender performers - people who carved out a space in the cultural landscape despite immense societal obstacles. Her personal and professional journey serves as an inspiration to transgender people everywhere, proving that it is possible to live authentically, pursue one’s dreams, and ultimately thrive in a world that is often resistant to change. Today, the transgender cause continues to evolve, with greater acceptance in many parts of the world. Yet, as Marie-Pierre herself notes, progress is often slow and difficult, and the challenges that trans women face are still multifaceted. She also acknowledges that, while trans people have made significant strides, there is still much work to be done in terms of societal understanding and acceptance.
Marie-Pierre Pruvot, Bambi, is not only a pioneer in the world of transgender cabaret but also a testament to the resilience and adaptability of transgender people. Her journey through performance and academia, as depicted in both 90 Notti in Giro per il Mondo and in her own biographical writings, paints a picture of a woman who defied the odds and embraced her identity with grace and courage. Her story, along with the broader narrative of transgender performers in Paris during the 1950s and 1960s, is one of trailblazing art and activism. Through her performances, her teaching, and her personal reflections, Marie-Pierre Pruvot remains an enduring figure in the history of transgender culture, forever connected to the groundbreaking world of Le Carrousel and the lives of countless transgender people who have followed in her footsteps.
Image credits: YouTube
Interview with the cast:
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