A Call to Spy

A Call to Spy, also known as Liberté: A Call to Spy, is a 2019 American historical drama film written and produced by Sarah Megan Thomas and directed by Lydia Dean Pilcher. The film is inspired by the true stories of three women who worked as spies in Churchill's Secret Army. It stars Sarah Megan Thomas as Virginia Hall, Radhika Apte as Noor Inayat Khan, and Stana Katic as Vera Atkins.

A Call to Spy
Directed byLydia Dean Pilcher
Produced bySarah Megan Thomas p.g.a.
Written bySarah Megan Thomas
Starring
Music byLillie Rebecca McDonough
Cinematography
  • Robby Baumgartner
  • Miles Goodall
Edited byPaul Tothill
Distributed byIFC Films
Release date
  • June 21, 2019 (2019-06-21) (Edinburgh)
  • October 2, 2020 (2020-10-02) (United States)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

A Call to Spy had its world premiere on June 21, 2019 at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and will be released the United States on October 2, 2020 in theaters and on video on demand.[1]

Plot

In the beginning of WWII, with Britain becoming desperate, Churchill orders his new spy agency—the Special Operations Executive (SOE)—to recruit and train women as spies. Their daunting mission: conduct sabotage and build a resistance. SOE's "spymistress," Vera Atkins (Stana Katic), recruits two unusual candidates: Virginia Hall (Sarah Megan Thomas), an ambitious American with a wooden leg, and Noor Inayat Khan (Radhika Apte), an Indian Muslim pacifist. Together, these women help to undermine the Nazi regime in France, leaving an unmistakable legacy in their wake. Inspired by true stories.

Cast

Production

Thomas Sarah Megan Thomas wrote the original screenplay based on years of research, which included reading historical records. To prepare to play Virginia Hall, Sarah Megan Thomas interviewed Virginia Hall's living relatives.[2]

Pilcher has said that she was drawn to this story because she felt a story about the power of multiculturalism was relevant to the current-day rise of nationalism and extremism, and she wanted to feature a story about these women who hadn't gotten enough attention in history.[3] To prepare for the role of Noor Inayat Khan, Radhika Apte did a lot of research, which included reading about the historical people as well as watching spy movies and reading classic novels that were relevant to the character.[4]

Filming was done in Philadelphia and Budapest, both of which also provided tax credits to the production.[4][3]

Release

The film had its world premiere as Liberté: A Call to Spy at the Edinburgh International Film Festival during the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of D-Day,[5] which Thomas believed was a notable choice because historically the agency trained their spies in Scotland.[2]

The film went on to win the Audience Choice Award in record numbers at Whistler Film Festival,[6] where 97% voted for it as their favorite film, "the highest numbers since La La Land took home the prize."[7] The film also won an award from the Alliance of Women Film Journalists.[8] The film was given the Anti-Defamation League Award at the 2020 Santa Barbara International Film Festival with a unanimous vote by the jury.[9][7][10] IFC Films then acquired North American distribution rights, with an expected theatrical release in late 2020.[11]

The film has been well reviewed by critics and well received by audiences on the festival circuit.[12][13] Screen Daily noted that it was "one title to stand out."[14]

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References
  1. Lattanzio, Ryan (August 2, 2020). "'A Call to Spy' Trailer: Female-Dominated Production Team Runs WWII Espionage Thriller". IndieWire. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  2. Noel, Alyssa (November 30, 2019). "LIBERTÉ: A Call to Spy brings little-known history to light". Pique Newsmagazine. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  3. Berger, Laura (June 28, 2019). "EIFF 2019 Women Directors: Meet Lydia Dean Pilcher – "Liberté: A Call to Spy"". Women and Hollywood. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  4. Roy, Dhaval (July 27, 2019). "You don't have to beg for money there: Radhika Apte on difference between Bollywood and Hollywood". DNA India. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  5. "LIBERTÉ: A CALL TO SPY - World Premiere at Edinburgh Film Festival". www.reviewsphere.org. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  6. "WFF19 Wraps". Whistler Film Festival. December 10, 2019.
  7. "Ravenal Feature Film Grant Recipient, A Call to Spy, Honored at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival".
  8. "AWFJ EDA Awards @ Whistler Film Festival 2019: The Winners – Jennifer Merin reports – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS".
  9. "WWII Female Spy Film Wins ADL Award | Edhat". www.edhat.com.
  10. "Film 'Liberté: A Call to Spy' Wins Anti-Defamation League Stand Up Award". www.noozhawk.com.
  11. "IFC Picks Up WWII Female Secret Agents Feature 'A Call To Spy', Eyes Fall Release". June 16, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  12. "Liberté: A Call to Spy | Film Threat". January 20, 2020.
  13. "EIFF 2019 Review – Liberté: A Call to Spy – "A remarkable film" | Live for Films". www.liveforfilm.com.
  14. Macnab, Geoffrey (July 2, 2019). "International attendees give their verdict on London Screenings 2019". Screen.
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