Experimental Writing: Creating Documentary Fiction in French Literature

Location

Manchester Hall, Room 206-A

Free

Open to the public. | Presentation in French.

Olivia Rosenthal will discuss how she uses raw materials for story such as newspaper articles, historical accounts, interviews and other works of nonfiction to develop documentary fiction as a literary genre.

About the speaker:
Olivia Rosenthal is a French novelist, essayist and short story writer. As of 2013, ten of her stories have been published by Edition Verticales and several of her works have received substantial critical praise: On n’est pas là pour disparaître received the «Prix Wepler- Fondation La Poste 2007» and Que font les rennes après Noël ? was honored with the «Prix Alexandre-Vialatte», and the «Prix du Livre Inter 2011». Her first play, Les Félins m’aiment bien (Actes Sud-Papiers), was staged by Alain Ollivier in 2005 and Les Lois de l’hospitalité (Inventaire/invention, 2008) was directed by Marie Vialle and played in 2008 and in 2010-2011. Rosenthal's great interest in the orality contained in writings has brought her to propose performances in collaboration with filmmakers, writers, choreographers and visual artists. She is also one of three co-directors of the brand new Master in Literary Creation at the University of Paris 8 - Vincennes - Saint-Denis.

Supported by an ESFI grant.