Rating: M
Director: Lydia Dean Pilcher
Actors: Radhika Apte, Stana Katic, Sarah Megan Thomas
A gripping historical drama inspired by true stories, A Call to Spy follows three unsung female WWII heroes who put their lives on the line to fight for freedom. At the dawn of World War II with Britain becoming desperate, Winston 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), later the inspiration for Ian Fleming's Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond franchise, was the chief recruiter for this secret army.
Vera Atkins selects two unusual candidates: Virginia Hall (Sarah Megan Thomas), an ambitious American journalist with a wooden leg, and Noor Inayat Khan (Radhika Atpe), a wireless officer of Indian descent and avowed pacifist. Together, these women worked to undermine the Nazi regime in France, leaving an unmistakable legacy in their wake.
The feature directorial debut of Oscar-nominated documentary producer Lydia Dean Pilcher, A Call to Spy puts women in the spotlight, telling of the personal sacrifice of courageous individuals.
"An important, compelling story that had to be told." - Film Threat
WINNER: Best Female-Directed Narrative Feature, Audience Award, Whistler Film Festival 2019
NOMINATED: Best International Feature Film, Edinburgh International Film Festival 2019
WINNER: ADL Stand Up Award, Santa Barbara International film Festival 2020