Pascal Bergamin on Building Portraits of Dangerous Women | Interview

In this Geek Freaks Interviews episode, Frank sits down with filmmaker Pascal Bergamin, the creative force behind Portraits of Dangerous Women. Inspired by a collection of quirky vintage photographs, Pascal shares how the idea evolved into a film about grief, connection, and the quiet power of flawed characters.

They dig into the meaning behind the word “dangerous,” what it takes to keep authenticity alive on set, and how indie filmmakers survive the chaos of production and distribution. It’s a deep look at what it means to tell human stories with limited resources but unlimited passion.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Intro and warm-up

• 06:24 Meet Pascal Bergamin

• 07:00 The inspiration behind Portraits of Dangerous Women

• 08:19 A photo book that changed everything

• 10:13 Humor as the bridge between grief and absurdity

• 12:54 Redefining “dangerous”

• 14:23 Letting characters be flawed and real

• 17:10 Casting without auditions and trusting instincts

• 23:00 The unforgettable dog scene

• 25:17 Creating a world that feels familiar but offbeat

• 29:45 How the U.S. release differs from the UK

• 31:02 What indie filmmaking still teaches Pascal

• 36:51 What’s next (and why he’s not rushing it)

Key Takeaways:

• Pascal was inspired by real vintage photographs of women doing unusual things—not crime, but acts of boldness and humor.

• The word “dangerous” in the title reflects unpredictability and spontaneity, not violence or threat.

• His indie film set prioritized time and space for actors, leading to honest performances.

• The cast came together without formal auditions, chosen for chemistry and instinct.

• Distributing an indie film requires just as much hustle as making it.

Memorable 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.”

• “Dangerous doesn’t mean violent. It means unexpected.”

• “Sometimes you just knock on a door with your script in hand and hope for kindness.”

Call to Action:
If you love indie films, bold characters, or the behind-the-scenes grind of filmmaking, don’t miss this conversation. Portraits of Dangerous Women is now available in the U.S. and Canada. Watch the film, then come back and let us know what you think.

Subscribe to Geek Freaks Interviews, leave a rating, and share the episode using #GeekFreaksInterviews.

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All stories and updates mentioned in this episode can be found at GeekFreaksPodcast.com

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Apple Podcast Tags:
Pascal Bergamin, portraits of dangerous women, indie filmmaking, director interview, filmmaking podcast, women in film, behind the scenes, Geek Freaks Interviews, creative process, movie interview