A Camera Actress in the Wilds of Togoland The adventures, observations & experiences of a cinematograph actress in West African forests whilst collecting films depicting native life and when posing as the white woman in Anglo-African cinematograph dramas

"A Camera Actress in the Wilds of Togoland" by Meg Gehrts is a captivating memoir detailing the author's pioneering journey into the heart of early 20th-century West Africa. Recounting her time as part of a filmmaking expedition in Togoland, Gehrts documents her unprecedented experiences as the first white woman to navigate the region's untouched wilderness during film production, engaging with diverse local tribes and confronting the trials of shooting in a little-known land. Introduced to the project by Major Hans Schomburgk, Gehrts grapples with the potential risks, the demands of the documentary, and the intricacies of working with native communities, highlighting the scrupulous preparations, logistic challenges, and the unique communal spirit required for the journey ahead. She looks forward to this life-changing adventure, recording and illuminating the rich culture of the indigenous people, which will test and develop her in the remarkable settings of Togoland.