Delphine Seyrig

Delphine Seyrig (1932–1990) was a French actress, filmmaker and prominent feminist activist. Beyond her celebrated film career, she became deeply involved in the French Women’s Liberation Movement. In 1971, she signed the Manifesto of the 343, calling for the decriminalisation of abortion, and in 1972 hosted a demonstration of an abortion technique in her Paris apartment.

In the 1970s, she joined forces with filmmaker Carole Roussopoulos and Ioana Wieder to form the feminist video collective Les Insoumuses. Through films such as Sois belle et tais-toi! (Be Pretty and Shut Up!, 1976), she denounced sexism in the film industry and challenged the stereotypical roles imposed on women. Their satirical video Maso et Miso vont en bateau (1976) also criticised the sexist portrayal of women in the media.

In 1982, she co-founded the Simone de Beauvoir Audiovisual Centre, dedicated to preserving and sharing films documenting women’s history, creativity, rights and struggles. Seyrig remains an influential figure in feminist cinema, using her art and public voice to challenge patriarchy and fight for women’s emancipation.