The True Cost
A 100 years ago, Mata Hari faced the firing squad as a convicted German spy. Was she a dangerous spy, whose boldness and sexuality threatened the establishment, or a victim entangled in a climate of b…
The True Cost
A 100 years ago, Mata Hari faced the firing squad as a convicted German spy. Was she a dangerous spy, whose boldness and sexuality threatened the establishment, or a victim entangled in a climate of blame and desperation as WWI dragged on? 100 years ago Mata Hari faced the firing squad as a convicted Dutch spy. It was at this moment that the legend of Mata Hari, the seductive spy, was born. Newly-discovered documents cast doubt on her guilt and reveal startling truths about her life. Mata Hari was a self-made woman whose boldness and sexuality threatened the male establishment. Most of what we've known about her until now has largely been myth. Mata Hari's challenges as an abused wife, single mother and a creative independent woman are familiar to women around the world. At the turn of the century, her struggles to attain sexual freedom, artistic expression, and liberation from the constraints of conventional society are the same ones women face today. She graced the cover of Vogue, performed all over Europe and left a coterie of smitten admirers in her wake. Filmmakers Machiel Amorison and Susan Wolf set out to create a film that would unravel the complex story of Mata Hari, explore what shaped her character and acknowledge Mata Hari's creativity, courage and intelligence. Newly discovered letters give genuine voice to her struggles as an abused wife and shed new light on her role as a mother. "With the #Me Too wave that has swept the country, we have to ask what has changed in the 100 years since Mata Hari? The answer is not nearly as much as we would hope," said Susan Wolf, Director. "Mata Hari was seeking sexual freedom, artistic expression and the right to control her own life - things that women today still strive to attain. In the end she paid dearly, with her life." The film, an international co-production between Susan Wolf in California and Machiel Amorison in Amsterdam, was primarily shot in the Netherlands where Mata Hari was born and lived much of her life. Shooting in the Netherlands provided distinct advantages regarding authenticity and access to original materials. Interviews were shot in Paris, the Netherlands, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. The voice over with renowned Dutch actress, Thekla Reuten, was recorded in Amsterdam while Susan Wolf and editor, Bob Sarles, directed from a studio in CA. In spite of the distance and nine hour time difference, thanks to technology, the filmmakers were able to take advantage of the best each side of the world has to offer. —Aziz
The True Cost
Documentary,Drama,News
Film Details
A 100 years ago, Mata Hari faced the firing squad as a convicted German spy. Was she a dangerous spy, whose boldness and sexuality threatened the establishment, or a victim entangled in a climate of blame and desperation as WWI dragged on? 100 years ago Mata Hari faced the firing squad as a convicted Dutch spy. It was at this moment that the legend of Mata Hari, the seductive spy, was born.
Newly-discovered documents cast doubt on her guilt and reveal startling truths about her life. Mata Hari was a self-made woman whose boldness and sexuality threatened the male establishment. Most of what we've known about her until now has largely been myth.
Mata Hari's challenges as an abused wife, single mother and a creative independent woman are familiar to women around the world. At the turn of the century, her struggles to attain sexual freedom, artistic expression, and liberation from the constraints of conventional society are the same ones women face today. She graced the cover of Vogue, performed all over Europe and left a coterie of smitten admirers in her wake.
Filmmakers Machiel Amorison and Susan Wolf set out to create a film that would unravel the complex story of Mata Hari, explore what shaped her character and acknowledge Mata Hari's creativity, courage and intelligence. Newly discovered letters give genuine voice to her struggles as an abused wife and shed new light on her role as a mother. "With the #Me Too wave that has swept the country, we have to ask what has changed in the 100 years since Mata Hari? The answer is not nearly as much as we would hope," said Susan Wolf, Director.
"Mata Hari was seeking sexual freedom, artistic expression and the right to control her own life - things that women today still strive to attain. In the end she paid dearly, with her life." The film, an international co-production between Susan Wolf in California and Machiel Amorison in Amsterdam, was primarily shot in the Netherlands where Mata Hari was born and lived much of her life. Shooting in the Netherlands provided distinct advantages regarding authenticity and access to original materials.
Interviews were shot in Paris, the Netherlands, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. The voice over with renowned Dutch actress, Thekla Reuten, was recorded in Amsterdam while Susan Wolf and editor, Bob Sarles, directed from a studio in CA. In spite of the distance and nine hour time difference, thanks to technology, the filmmakers were able to take advantage of the best each side of the world has to offer.
—Aziz.