Q: You recently participated in the “From Book to Screen” session at the Africa Pavilion. Can you tell us more about this event?
Paule-Élise Aglaé: This session focused on a crucial topic for us authors and creators: how to protect our work before handing it over to a producer. With the intervention of Ms. Casey Joly, an intellectual property lawyer, we learned the legal keys to secure our creations and negotiate the best contracts. It was a unique opportunity to pitch my book to producers and discuss film adaptation.
Q: Your book is titled “Le Clair et l’Obscur | Journey of the First Black Businesswoman in France.” What message do you want to convey?
Paule-Élise Aglaé: This book tells my story, marked by personal and professional challenges. I want to show that despite a difficult past, it’s possible to rise, love life, and succeed. It’s a story of resilience, optimism, ambition, faith, and love.
Q: You are an accomplished entrepreneur. Can you tell us about your journey?
Paule-Élise Aglaé: I was born in Martinique, and in 2005 I founded BRG Antilles, a debt collection agency that became a reference in the field. I was honored to be recognized as the first Black businesswoman in France, but it required a lot of hard work and perseverance. Since then, I have launched other projects in Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana, and Togo, including in real estate and agriculture.
Q: What motivated you to keep going despite obstacles?
Paule-Élise Aglaé: My faith, my passion for life, and boundless energy. I love sports, traveling, and discovering the world. I deeply believe that difficulties are opportunities to grow. As Seneca said, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Q: Do you have plans for a film adaptation of your book?
Paule-Élise Aglaé: It’s an idea very close to my heart. Attending Cannes allowed me to meet producers and better understand the steps needed to protect my work. I hope my story can reach an even wider audience through cinema.
Available in audio and e-book formats through a Togolese company, “Le Clair et l’Obscur” invites readers to discover the life of an extraordinary woman—an example of boldness and determination.
During the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Paule-Élise Aglaé took part in a key session organized by Pavillon Afriques, titled “From Book to Screen,” held in Tent 203 – Pantiero, within the International Village. The session began with a crucial presentation: “Protecting Your Work: The Legal Keys Before Signing with a Producer,” led by Ms. Casey Joly, a lawyer specializing in intellectual property. This talk aimed to raise awareness among authors and publishers about the critical issues involved in transferring adaptation rights from book to screen. Topics included how to legally safeguard creative works, avoid contractual pitfalls, and negotiate fair terms. The presentation was followed by a pitch session, during which authors and publishers — including Paule-Élise Aglaé — presented their works to producers in hopes of seeing their stories adapted for film. It was a moment of powerful synergy between literature and cinema, opening new doors for African and diasporic storytelling.
