Award-winning drama Bread & Roses recreated the early days of trade unionist and politician Sonja Davies. Behind the scenes, the $4 million production required 175 speaking parts, and dozens of sets — many built from plywood, "to make something out of nothing". This documentary follows director Gaylene Preston and producer Robin Laing through casting, filming and editing. There is extended coverage of how a cabaret scene was shot at the Wellington Town Hall. Meanwhile lead actor Geneviève Picot talks about the challenges of portraying someone who often kept her vulnerabilities hidden.