Meet the queens of early cinema! Contrary to popular belief, women were more numerous and powerful during the silent film era than any other time in American film history. They created their own production companies, wrote and directed films, and invented tools and film techniques that would change the history of the art form.

We are very pleased to introduce you to the unjustly forgotten women who, once upon a time, were a fundamental part of building the Hollywood dream palace.

French film pioneer Alice Guy-Blaché was the first female director and one of the first to create narrative films. Actor Florence Lawrence grew incredibly famous as the 'Biograph Girl', and became the very first actress to be credited under her own name. One of cinema’s first action heroes, Helen Holmes, will show you her greatest stunts, most of which she performed and choreographed herself. Queen of silent comedy Mabel Normand, will leave you baffled with laughter and amazement. And perhaps the greatest star of all, Mary Pickford, built an empire as 'America’s sweetheart' and became queen of Hollywood.

Writer and researcher Anke Brouwers will introduce you to all of their stories, after which we will enjoy their incredible talents on the screen.

Queens Brussels' curator Lisa Deckers and co-curator Martine Bouw selected the silent movies. Martine Bouw is an access employee at Cinematek. She is also a programmer and researcher at the Nederlands Silent Film Festival (NSFF), Eindhoven. Previously, she worked at Eye Filmmuseum, Amsterdam, as a film collection trainee, digital film registrar, booker, documentalist and digital ingest specialist.

Amandine Nkeshimana will accompany this exquisite selection of silent movies live on the grand piano. 

7.00 PM: doors open

7.30 PM: introduction

8:00 PM: screening and live piano

9.00 PM: guided tour of the mansion

9.30 PM: drink in the winter garden