In our latest episode of Geek Freaks Interviews, we had the chance to sit down with writer and director Pascal Bergamin, the creative mind behind the indie film Portraits of Dangerous Women. What starts as a quirky title unfolds into a heartfelt, unpredictable story about three women thrown together by chance and what happens when people stop performing and start connecting.
Bergamin’s film was inspired by a photo book he stumbled across in East London titled Snapshots of Dangerous Women. But instead of mugshots or true crime, the book showcased amateur photos of women doing mildly risky or unexpected things like climbing lampposts, holding pistols, lying on a target, or simply breaking the social mold. That spark of playful rebellion planted the seeds for what would become a deeply personal story about grief, spontaneity, and emotional honesty.
“The danger isn’t about violence or threat,” Pascal explained. “It’s about unpredictability. About choosing your own path, even if it’s messy.”
In the film, three strangers collide in a strange roadside accident involving a runaway dog. What unfolds is not a thriller or mystery, but a slow-burning exploration of vulnerability, humor, and the way we form bonds when life doesn’t go as planned. Pascal describes the characters as “quietly refusing to perform.” They’re not perfect or polished, and that’s the point.
He also pulled back the curtain on the production itself. With a small crew of just 16 people and a tight budget, Portraits was a labor of love. Casting was done without traditional auditions. Instead, Bergamin and casting director Matilda James built a dream team that includes Tara Fitzgerald, Jeany Spark, and Yasmine Monet Prince, actors who understood the emotional tone immediately.
“If the film works, it’s because of the cast,” Pascal said. “And if it didn’t, it would’ve been because we got that part wrong.”
The film premiered in the UK back in October and is now making its way to audiences in the US and Canada. Pascal shared insights on the challenges of indie film distribution and how the American campaign was adjusted based on lessons learned in the UK. Namely, setting the right expectations about the tone. Portraits isn’t a heist movie or thriller, despite what the title might suggest.
And while he has new projects on the horizon, Bergamin is still fully hands-on with promoting Portraits, including doing Q and As, press, and as we saw, connecting with new audiences through podcasts like ours.
For those tired of formulaic storytelling and looking for something a little quieter, a little stranger, and a lot more human, Portraits of Dangerous Women is now streaming on select platforms including Amazon.
🎧 Listen to the full interview now on Geek Freaks Interviews and hear Pascal talk about finding collaborators, directing without ego, and why you really don’t have time to be nervous on set.
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