... BUT I WAS A GIRL tells the story of Frieda Belinfante (1905-1995), a remarkable woman who was the first female conductor to have her own symphony orchestra, first in Holland and later in Orange County, California.

Controversial, because of her sexuality, she showed a remarkably strong and positive will in everything she did. Born in a family of musicians in Amsterdam, she joined the resistance during WW II, then later fled to Switzerland. After the war she moved to the U.S. where she resumed her musical career in the Hollywood studios, and formed her own symphony orchestra with Hollywood musicians.

The story of Frieda's life is told by herself, her older sister Renee, old students and friends, and illustrated by the places where she lived, archive materials of her orchestras and some of her most beautiful music.

" Belinfante's life story is remarkable, and BUT I WAS A GIRL gives her her due." - Variety

"Fascinating... Awe inspiring." - MC Journal: the Journal of Academic Media Librarianship

"Riveting... [A] screen gem. Excerpts from extensive interviews with this remarkable woman form the heart of the film." - Sojourner

"Frieda Belinfante was a highly remarkable woman, and the special thing about this calm, historical documentary by Toni Baumans is the absence of any superficial sentiment." - NRC Handelsblad (The Netherlands)