Bread and Roses - 1993
Preston*Laing Productions - 194 min.
Cast: Genevieve Picot, Mick Rose, Donna Akersten, Tina Regtien, Erik Thomson,
Screenplay: Graeme Tetley and Gaylene Preston, based upon Sonja Davies' book of the same name; Director of Photography: Allen Guilford; Editor: Paul Sutorius; Music: John Charles; Vocals: Lisa Schouw; Producer: Robin Laing; Director: Gaylene Preston.
Originally made for TV, but also released theatrically,this is an account of the life of activist and trade unionist (and later MP) Sonja Davies. The film covers her life up to 1956, when, at age 33, she was elected to the Nelson Hospital Board. During this period she develops strong socialist beliefs, marries and divorces, at age 17 trains as a nurse, has a romance (and a child) with an American marine who is killed in WWII action. She battles tuberculosis and marries a former boyfriend when he returns from the war. Toward the end of the film, she becomes part of a women's ill-fated campaign to save the Nelson railway line from closure and begins to be elected to political bodies. A well acted film with high production values. Recommended.
Censor Rating: PG - Review rating: B+
