JCC Chicago Film Festival + Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
Film & Discussion: A Call To Spy
January 14, 6:30 pm (CST) | Virtual program
When winning World War II seemed hopeless, one group of extraordinary women changed the course of history forever.
As Great Britain’s forces were stretched thin during World War II, Winston Churchill’s Special Operations Executive (SOE) began to enlist women as spies. Their daunting mission: conduct sabotage and build a resistance. Spymistress Vera Atkins, later the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond franchise, was the chief recruiter for this secret army. Atkins selected two unusual candidates: Virginia Hall, an American journalist from Baltimore hampered by a wooden leg, and Noor Inayat Khan, a wireless officer of Indian descent and an avowed pacifist. Together, they worked to undermine the Nazi regime in France. The courage, sacrifices, and grit of these three women helped quell the Nazi occupation – and ultimately turned the tide of the war.
In advance of our program, watch the extraordinary new film, A Call To Spy, based on the true history of Winston Churchill and his use of women spies during World War II. After you watch the film, join our panel discussion with members of the film’s production team.
Moderated by Rick Salomon, Vice President of the Board of Directors, Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, the discussion will include the film’s star and Producer, Sarah Megan Thomas, Director Lydia Dean Pilcher, and 20-year CIA officer Kristin Wood. Wood spearheaded a variety of the Agency’s initiatives, including serving as a briefer for the President’s Daily Brief to Vice President Cheney and leading a team within the Office of Terrorism Analysis in the Counterterrorism Center (CTC) in examining Al Quaeda ties in the Middle East as the nation prepared for war.
After viewing the film on your own during the streaming window (January 10 at 9 am CST – January 14 at 11:45 pm CST), please join us for the LIVE Q&A. There is a $5 charge to stream the film and attend the panel discussion.
How to Watch
Viewing Window:
January 10 at 9am CST – January 14 at 11:45 pm CST
The film will be available to watch beginning at 9:00am CDT on the day listed above. Once it becomes available, you can access your streaming media via your Eventive account.
Program presented in partnership with the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.
