In this episode of Geek Freaks, Frank sits down with writer and director Pascal Bergamin to explore his new film Portraits of Dangerous Women. The conversation dives into how a photo book of unconventional women inspired the film’s unique tone, why Bergamin values emotional authenticity over polish, and the realities of getting an indie film released internationally. From the challenges of casting to the passion that drives low-budget filmmaking, this episode is a masterclass in storytelling with heart.
Timestamps and Topics:
00:00 Getting settled and pronunciation check
06:24 Introduction to Pascal Bergamin and his film
07:00 What Portraits of Dangerous Women is really about
08:19 How a photo book sparked the idea
10:13 Humor, grief, and the tone of the story
12:54 Redefining what it means to be "dangerous"
14:23 The idea of a "quiet refusal to perform"
17:10 Assembling a standout cast on a tight budget
20:13 Building trust on set with time and space
23:00 The dog scene that brings everything together
25:17 Creating a world that's familiar but slightly surreal
26:55 How UK distribution led to the North American release
29:45 Adapting marketing strategies between countries
31:02 What Bergamin’s learned from indie filmmaking
36:51 What’s next after Portraits
38:45 Where to watch the film
Key Takeaways:
The film was inspired by a collection of amateur photos showing women being bold and mischievous, not criminal.
Portraits of Dangerous Women blends humor, drama, and vulnerability to explore unexpected companionship.
The title “dangerous” refers to unpredictability and spontaneity, not threat or violence.
Casting was done without auditions, relying instead on careful collaboration and trust.
With a small crew and limited resources, the film prioritized a relaxed and collaborative environment on set.
Pascal continues to be deeply involved in the film’s distribution and promotion, reflecting the hands-on nature of independent filmmaking.
Quotes:
“You don’t have enough time to be nervous.”
“They’re not trying to be heroes. They’re reacting to life as it comes.”
“The danger is in not knowing what these women will do next.”
“We didn’t have trailers. We had trust.”
Call to Action:
Check out Portraits of Dangerous Women, available now in the U.S. and Canada starting July 10th. Find it on Amazon and other platforms—links in the description. If you enjoyed this interview, subscribe to Geek Freaks, leave a review, and share the episode using #GeekFreaksPodcast.
Links and Resources:
All news and updates are available at GeekFreaksPodcast.com, the source for everything we cover on the show.
Watch Portraits of Dangerous Women on Prime: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DPJMC4X9/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
Follow Us:
Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast
Threads: @geekfreakspodcast
Twitter: @geekfreakspod
Facebook: Geek Freaks Podcast
Patreon: Support Us
Listener Questions:
Have something you want us to ask a future guest? Or a geeky topic you're itching to hear discussed? Message us on socials or through the website—we’d love to include your voice in a future episode.
Apple Podcast Tags:
indie film, Pascal Bergamin, portraits of dangerous women, filmmaking, women in film, movie interview, geek podcast, creative storytelling, director spotlight, behind the scenes, Geek Freaks