They Have Made THE PACT

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Billie August and Juno Films is the story of writers, love and pain all with THE PACT.

Karen Blixen (Birthe Neumann), who became famous for her work “Out of Africa” is living a quiet Danish life still dealing with the heartbreak of a lost love. What is worse, she is also suffering terribly from an illness from years past. Finding things to keep her life occupied, a visitor shows up at her door and a journey is about to begin.

At her door is poet Thorkild Bjornvig (Simon Bennebjerg), a young man with a family to support who dreams of spending his days writing. Karen spending their visit explaining that she wants to make a pact with him, that he trusts in her with everything about his life and he will receive all that she can provide for his success. When not together, letters are being exchanged between them.

In the beginning, it is all exciting at the prospect of being able to write without financial worry. Wife Grete (Nanna Voss) has always supported Thorkild and sees this as an amazing opportunity and continues to support him. When a home accident occurs, Karen tells Grete that Thorkild should come to her home to recuperate and give him time to write in peace and quiet.

Grete is uneasy realizing that there is a strange attachment Karen has for her husband. But the party goes on as Thorkild finds another friend in Benedicte (Asta August) who is married to his financial benefactor Knud Jensen (Anders Heinrichsen). Watching everything is Karen.

Deciding that it is time for Thorkild to stretch his wings, she arranges for him to study in Bonn. Karen also has other plans convincing Benedicte that he needs a friend to convince him to stay and finish his studies. That is when things become even more twisted as families are on the verge of being torn apart and one person is pulling the strings.

Neumann as Blixen is a woman who is dealing with so many different issues. Still pining over the love she had for Denys Hatton during her time in Africa and an illness that was poorly treated years before. She turns to those that delve into artistic writing and the society that supports them but with one extra step and that’s where Thorkild comes in. Wanting full control over his life and his emotions is like watching a magician cast a spell over everyone that is in her presence. Neumann gives a stunning performance with twists, turns and shocks.

Bennebjerg as Thorkild is a man who wants to spend his life studying and writing. When the opportunity comes with Karen Blixen, he is astonished to the point of easily making the pact with her. Even when she has unusual requests, he believes that everything is done for his artistic betterment. Bennebjerg gives his character a mixture of loyalty to his family and loyalty out of what he things is gratitude. This actor also gives his character choices and whether right or wrong, they are his choices.

Voss as Grete is a wife that is far more understanding than anyone has a right to be. Supporting her husband time and time again, she sees what is happening but can not make him understand that it is rather frightening. When she feels trapped, it takes one desperate decision to change everything. Voss is beautiful and wonderful in this role and I enjoyed her performance even if it caused pangs of heartache for Grete which is a great sign of a true actress.

August as Benedicte is a woman who is also under Blixen’s emotional control. Trusting that her words about befriending Thorkild is for the best, she follows blindly into something that causes literal pain and heartache for people who do not deserve it. Benedicte is also at a crossroads in her life but still allows Blixen to take her down a destructive path. August gives her character the angst of everything she is experiencing.

Other cast include Kurt Dreyer as Heinrich, Jytte Kvinesdal as Sygeplejeske, Mikkel Stubkjaer as Bo Bjornvig, Teo Lepetit as Fransk Kultulerite, Susanne Bruhn as Dansk Kultulerite, Bjarne Jonsson as Dansk and Nathan Benson as the Journalist.

Juno Films is a boutique film distributor. Its founder Elizabeth Sheldom has over twenty years of experience in the distribution of documentary and feature films.

THE PACT is the Official Selection of the 2022 Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Official Selection of the 2021 AFI European Union Films Showcase.

The film is filled with intense emotions and twists that will have the viewer either shaking their head or having that look of ‘do they not see what she is doing?’. Of course, these characters do not because they want to trust in the best of people and the best of Karen Blixen. The cast does a remarkable job of presenting this story with heartbreak and beauty.

There is also the majesty of costuming and cinematography that invites us into this world and era. Once again, as a huge fan of costumes, it brings a richness an authenticity that I just adore.

THE PACT is based on the relationship between the 63-year-old Nobel Prize winner Karen Blixen and Thorkild Bjornvig. Their time together proved to be intense and raveled in the artistic emotions of two people who were looking for something, anything to find what each was seeking. The problem is, it was at the expense and intense emotions of others.

In the end – how far will you go for love and art!

 

 

RADIUM GIRLS Have a Story That Needed Telling

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from directors Lydia Dean Pilcher, Ginny Mohler and Juno Films is a story that has finally had an opportunity to be told about the RADIUM GIRLS.

Living in New Jersey in the 20's, Josephine (Abby Quinn) and Bessie (Joey King) are sisters who work at the American Radium factory painting faces on clocks. Bessie was hired when their older sister passed as the family needed the money to survive. Using radium on the clock faces, the technique used had the brushes going into the mouths of all the women working.

Day after day the girls would come in and do their job, but Bessie wants more in her life - like a little fun and excitement. Josephine, being the responsible one, did her best to keep the younger sister from trouble. Yet, slowly, Josephine has begun to feel tired and Bessie has noticed. Convincing her to see Dr. Flint (Neal Huff), Josephine is told that she is fine and then told she has syphilis.

Bessie decides she is going to try and find out for herself what is wrong with Josephine and to her horror is told that the radium used at the clock factory is the culprit. Not getting any help from the company, she starts to look elsewhere when Josephine is in dire condition. Finding Wiley (Cara Seymour), a lawsuit is filed giving those affected the chance to prove that the clock manufacturer is responsible for sickness and death.

It will take time and courage for the truth to be revealed!

Quinn as Josephine is a diligent sister who wants the family to stay together at all costs. With the death of their older sister, she feels even more responsible to keep the money coming in by getting Bessie a job at the same factory. Slowly feeling that something is wrong, she tries to cover it up until it cannot be covered any longer.

King as sister Bessie is a 'wild child' for her time wanting more than just spending time painting faces on a clock. Pushing the limits of what is acceptable for a young lady of the day, all of that comes to a halt when her anger turns toward the doctor who is not helping her sister. King has the ability to show anger in a unique and sometimes scary way. In this film she gets the chance to use that anger for something greater than herself.

Seymour as Wiley immediately knows what is wrong with Josephine and is dedicated to helping Bessie. It takes some thought and courage because women of the time did not question men, Seymour offers up a strong shoulder to make what needs to happen, actually happen.

Other cast include: Scott Shepherd as Mr. Leech, Susan Heyward as Etta, Neal Huff as Dr. Flint, Collin Sordelet as Walt, John Lloyd as Arthur Roeder, Joe Grifasi as Nonno, Brandon Gill as Thomas, Olivia Macklin as Paula, Colby Minifie as Doris, Greg Hildreth as Henry Berry and Veanne Cox as Dr. Katherine Drinker.

Juno Films is a boutique film distributor as founder Elizabeth Sheldon brings over 20 years of experience in documentary and feature films. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.junofilms.com

RADIUM GIRLS is the story of hundreds of women who worked in factories during World War I. Using radium in the painted dials, this case would be one that change laws. The hideousness of girls lives, and reputations being ruined by company doctors using the excuse that the girls has syphilis to cover up their crime is maddening.

Marie Curie knew a thing or two about radium and what it can do to the body. It is unfortunate the women did not know about her but I am going to bet dollars to ducats that the men did. Even more frightening is realizing that people were told that radium was good for them finding it in water, cosmetics and toothpaste.

I was particularly moved by the film so much so that I started researching the subject myself and was horrified by what I found. That is what a film like RADIUM GIRLS does for the general public, make themselves aware of the history to make sure it never, ever happens again.

RADIUM GIRLS is a lesson and a story that deserves its place on the screen.

In the end - the fight was for them all!