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Synopsis

Released to mark 100 years of women's suffrage in New Zealand, Bread & Roses tells the story of pioneering trade unionist, politician and feminist Sonja Davies (1923 - 2005) who rose to prominence in the 1940s and 50s. Directed by Gaylene Preston and co-written by Graeme Tetley, the acclaimed three-hour film was created for a dual cinema/television release. Australian actor Genevieve Picot (Davies) and Mick Rose (as her husband) were awarded for their roles at 1994’s TV Awards. This excerpt sees Davies take direct action to protest closure of a Nelson railway.

Background

A perspective by Bianca Zander 01.10.2008

Released to mark 100 years of women's suffrage in New Zealand, Bread & Roses tells the story of pioneering trade unionist, politician and feminist Sonja Davies, who rose to prominence in the 1940s and 50s.

Judged a triumph for ...

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Comments (4)

 Charles Eggen

Charles Eggen

The new 2-disc DVD set is now available through Aro Video in Wellington or from the gaylenepreston.com store. Additional info can also be found at nzvideos.org

 Kim Baker

Kim Baker | website

It doesn't seem to be available on DVD from Aro Video at the moment, they have VHS for sale though.

 Brenda Leeuwenberg

Brenda Leeuwenberg

You can order this online from Aro Video [http://www.arovideo.co.nz/film.php?FilmID=2193] and I'm not sure about showing it in a classroom, but I think if you buy the DVD then that's ok.

 Erika Locke

Erika Locke

How could a purchase a DVD of the full movie and would it be all right to share the DVD in a classroom setting?
Erika

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Related Titles (9)

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Quotes

Bread and Roses is Preston/Laing's best work yet and, [...] a wonderful suffrage year tribute to women of New Zealand. 
Among many virtues is the main-role performance by Melbourne actress Genevieve Picot that is probably the finest screen work by an Australian woman 
Warm, generous, and moving to a fault, this superbly mounted evocation of a life and an era slips through its epic length without a hint of a stumble. 

Awards

1994 Melbourne Film Festival
Popular Choice

1994 TV Guide Television Awards
Woman's Day Best Performance in a Dramatic Role, Female (Genevieve Picot)
Woman's Day Best Supporting Performance in a Dramatic Role, Male (Mick Rose)
Best Design (Rick Kofoed)