Edith Wharton (w.t.)

The documentary traces Wharton’s history through her strong connection to the places she lived and visited, traveling from turn-of-the-century New York and the rural landscapes of New England to the gardens of Italy, wartime Paris and the French countryside, and even the deserts of Morocco. A combination of filming in original locations with historical materials as well as animation of archival imagery will bring Wharton’s world to life. The use of a wide range of period artworks, illustrations and styles will emphasize the transformative period Wharton lived through, highlighting the radical changes in society and representations of women from the late nineteenth century to the start of World War II. Insights from contemporary fiction writers, scholars, and journalists will also tie the past to the present, showing how Wharton's narratives resonate with the complexities of our current cultural moment.