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Louise has inspired dozens of characters across all mediums, from film to comics to literature (and documentary, obviously 😏). Tell us a character that Louise reminds you of—it doesn’t have to look like her, either 💁🏻‍♀️ (I know I’ve said it, but I think Rick Sanchez and Louise have a lot in common, and you’re all totally welcome to fight me on this 👽) (Also, if you haven’t read “I am the happiness of this world” from White Girls by Hilton Als, drop what you’re doing and read it) • • • • • #louisebrooks #vivresavie #somethingwild #thechaperone #valentina #guidocrepax #singinintherain #hiltonals #iamthehappinessofthisworld #documentaryofalostgirl #silentfilms #silentmovies #classiccinema #tcm

It’s been forever since we’ve done a GIVEAWAY ❤️‍🔥 I found this in a bookshop today and thought you guys might like it 🥰 if you haven’t read Lulu in Hollywood (recently mentioned in the New Yorker for still being cool) it’s basically the best book ever. Repost or share our post to your story and tag @documentaryofalostgirl to enter. A winner will be chosen at random and I’ll announce it at the end of the week. PS: that’s the 59th st bridge in the background, bonus points if you can tell me Louise’s relationship to it 😏 • • • • • • #louisebrooks #luluinhollywood #lulu #documentaryofalostgirl #silentfilm #oldhollywood #newyorkermagazine #biography #giveaway #newyork #newyorkcity #cinema #film

August 8th, 1985 was 36 years ago. There was a time in the early 1950s when Louise thought she was washed up, poverty-stricken and blacked out in New York, and would fail to achieve anything. It’s 2021 now, and her art is more pertinent than ever—13,150 days later and we are still in awe of this woman’s writing, intellect, and dedication to the truth. My point is, never give up. Even through the hardest times, Louise was still searching. You don’t have to know what you want yet, or be completely sure of who you are—just never stop moving towards what makes you happy. After all, Louise has proven that being lost can be just another step on the way to being great. November 14, 1906—August 8, 1985 📚🖤 #louisebrooks #documentaryofalostgirl #rochesterny #silentfilm #documentary

Idk about you guys but the ‘rona really had me missing film traveling 🥺 Hit the comments below and tell us where you’ve been that Louise has been ✈️🎞 As for these places from the film, in order with vague description: •The Beverly Wilshire, LA 🎥 •The Kansas prairie 🌻 •Berlin 🇩🇪 •San Francisco 🌊 •London 🇬🇧 •SFSFF 🎞 •Paris 🇫🇷 •Café de Paris 🇬🇧 •Archive of the Cinémathèque Française 📽 Wanna know more about what these places have to do with Louise? We’ll be posting all the details to our story later ☺️

You all have consistently been so supportive of our film, and so I feel you deserve a transparent explanation for why production came to a huge halt over the last 6 months. Before I go any further, I’d like to say that we’re back in action once again after our pause, and there is nothing but promise and excitement for the film in the coming year. • The person who taught me to love old films, in particular silent films, was my grandmother. She also had a lot in common with Louise, including a feisty nature and a need for the absolute truth. When Shawn met her years ago, he said he understood why I was making this film, and he was right—she was my biggest inspiration and my biggest supporter. She moved out of her home last summer and, shortly after, went into hospice for late-stage cancer. I’ll be honest, I dropped everything to be there for her over the last year, and I have no regrets. She passed away on May 4th, finally at peace but wildly missed by all of us, especially me. • Louise was big on following your instincts and I have not a doubt in my mind that, while I definitely missed my film and am happy to get back to it, I had to prioritize the woman who set me on this path and made me who I am today. That being said, this is currently a one-woman operation (now with a growing team ☺️), so I apologize for the silence, for the lack of posting or updates, for the lack of answers to messages, and for the delay in bringing you a finished film. • Thank you all for your loyalty through this long journey. I promise you it will be worth the wait, because Louise and her story are spectacular. As my grandmother used to say when she was teaching me to make soda bread, “with ingredients like these, no matter what, it’ll always be good.” • Thank you for your patience and understanding. I’m happy to be back to making this film for all of you, for my grandmother and, most of all, for Louise ♥️ More updates to come soon about the film, progress, and our official self-started production company ❤️‍🔥

Today’s interviews were better than we ever could have imagined, and we want to thank everyone who generously shared their Louise story with us over zoom 🎬 we loved doing this so much that we’ve decided to do it AGAIN in the coming weeks, so if you didn’t get to speak with us two weirdos today then stay tuned for new dates and times! 📆🔥👏

Throughout our time making this film, you have shown us the profound effect that Louise has had on the lives of so many. For that reason, we do not feel that we can properly tell this story without all of you having a chance to tell yours. Shawn and I will be conducting and recording zoom interviews on Sunday, January 17th, with anyone who is willing or able to tell us why Louise is meaningful to them. Slide into our DMs to reserve a time slot with us two goofballs (between 12pm and 5pm EST). We will be honored and delighted to hear why each of you holds Louise so dear, and we know that your stories will provide the film with the sincerity and thoughtfulness Louise deserves ♥️🎞 #louisebrooks #acuriousidol #documentaryofalostgirl #tellyourfriends #silentfilm

Okay, so, the last time we celebrated Louise’s birthday the world was a VERY different place. A lot of things have transpired since - some of them good, like heightened attention to and efforts against economic inequality and racial injustice, and some bad, like a pandemic and quarantine. The arts suffered through the economic flux and we were no exception- gathering to edit was nearly impossible, networking was put on hold, zoom calls became the new forum for meetings just as they did for everyone else as we were brought to prioritize our families and our health. We are very happy to have made it through the last year and after all of this, above all, we would like to thank you for your tireless support and patience with our project. We know you are eager to see a finished product and, this time last year, we were sure we’d have one for you by now. I would like to take this opportunity, on this special day, to assure you that we are still here (evidence: this awful photo of us)- we are still working, we are still devoted to showing you this incredible story. 114 years ago this completely unique and totally autonomous creature was born, and she brought with her a thousand lessons in humility, humor, perspective, honesty, and understanding. We’re forever grateful, for her and especially for all of you. ♥️ Happy Birthday, Louise (Louayze, Lou Brou, Lulu, Brooksie, Pioneer woman, etc.) we can’t wait to tell your story ♥️

Gone but definitely not forgotten (certainly not by us) ♥️ August 8th always feels a little magical for our team because something magical always happens. We’re lucky to have such a cool subject to research and, even though you’re not here, your always present in our lives. Thanks, Louise ♥️

Check out our story today to read about George Preston Marshall, owner and originator of what is now finally NOT called the Redskins Football Team. George Marshall may have been a smart business man, but he was also an immense bigot, racist and abuser. Louise, having had a self-admitted penchant for voilent, controlling men due to earlier traumas in her childhood, had an on and off tumultuous relationship with George Marshall for roughly a decade of her life. We, and many others, are glad to see this statue go.

We tried to post this link in our bio but it was too long - the below link is to Jack Garner’s obituary. It was published by the Democrat and Chronicle, a Rochester paper that he fervently wrote for as a film critic. Jack and Louise were close, as he was one of her caretakers (along with Barbara Andrews) in her later years, and so we had the pleasure of knowing him. The stories he could tell were revealing and hysterical. Jack let us come into his home all of those years ago, and has been supportive of our project ever since. His generous soul will be missed. • • https:/ www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2020/07/05/jack-garner-dies-rochester-ny-gannett-news-service-film-critic-pulitzer-prize-winner-obituary/5381028002/

Happy Pride!! 🏳️‍🌈 if you have time today we encourage you to read Marion Davie’s Niece and remember Pepi Lederer, Louise’s best friend and definitely a lesbian icon 🔥 The first two photos of Pepi are from Louise’s personal collection at WSU- they met at Hearst Castle when Louise went there with her then husband, Eddie Sutherland, and they hit it off so well that Louise stayed on long after he left. Louise herself was always a supportive ally of the LGBTQ community, and she has in many ways become a queer icon for portraying lesbians in films such as Pandora’s Box and for having been openly accepting of, and sometimes even engaging in, the queer lifestyle: “Life is too short not to experiment with half the race,” she’s quoted as saying. Her support of gay rights in a time when it wasn’t readily accepted is one of the many reasons we love her, and today we remember all of the classic Hollywood pioneers who were fearlessly themselves (Garbo, we’re looking at you, sir-), allowing us to follow in their footsteps ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 #pride2020

Human rights first, always #blackouttuesday (but also do not mute the voices of those distributing important information that will help the BLM cause- speak out about what’s important)

We’re busy at work but we haven’t forgotten about the beautiful art that you all have submitted! These are the two latest pieces that we have been lucky enough to receive, one by Jean-pascal Marron in striking blues and the other by Tasmin Pinder, sewed together with soul ♥️ thank you all for sending in such thoughtful and unique depictions of Louise.

New week, new art!! This is our latest entry from Giulia Chu Ferri- based on a photograph of teenage Louise and done in charcoal. SO beautiful.

We’re a little behind, so I’m also posting our second submission from artist Denise Jones: “Older photos of Louise always show her in a sort of weary, pensive repose. I like this side of her that looks sad and wise, as though she’s been over the mountain and is now looking over the pasture and plains, relaxed and thoughtfully.” The medium is watercolor done on watercolor paper. Thank you, Denise! 🥰

You guys are really coming through with the artwork and we are thrilled!! We wanted to show you the first piece we received from artist Fiona O’Downey: “I am a tarot reader and I chose the STAR card, no 17, one of the major archana. Also, I gave her the elements of stars on her belt, as well as astrological glyphs. on the wings of her gown. The card is decorated with the four Tarot elements, cups, coins, swords and, rods. She experienced every phase of all of the elements in her lifetime and has ascended. and like a comet, continues to shine. Thus Star is appropriate for her memory. This is a pen and ink drawing on watercolour paper.” Thank you, Fiona! 🥰