Bread & Roses
“A survivor for whom mere survival was not enough”
1993•PG•3h 14m•8.5•Released
DramaWar
Based upon 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. 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.
Director
Gaylene Preston
Writer
Graeme Tetley
Budget
$3M
Languages
English
Studio
Preston Laing
Cast
Geneviève Picot
Sonja
Mick Rose
Charlie
Donna Akersten
mrs. Mackersey
Raymond Hawthorne
Mr. Mackersey
Tina Regtien
Con
Erik Thomson
Red
Theresa Healey
Peggy
Frances Kewene
Maisie
Emily Perkins
Joan
Larissa Matheson
Dot
Katherine McRae
Syd
Janet Fisher
Ruth Page
Jo Briant
Barbara
Ralph Johnson
Snr Det. Thompson
Katy Beasley
T.B. Ward Sister
Production
Company
Preston Laing
Company
New Zealand Film Commission
Producer
Robin Laing
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