This film is based on true events. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the numbers of domestic abuse cases rose dramatically. In France, an extremely strict lock-down meant that victims were trapped at home with their abusers for 23 hours a day. They were only allowed out for one hour to go to a pharmacy or a grocery store. French pharmacists came up with a way victims could secretly ask for help: The code word “Masque-19”.
The film was created to support anyone in the world who might see it and consider leaving an abusive partner. Although domestic abuse is a worldwide problem, awareness campaigns and helplines are local, so the filmmakers created a new website thebeginning.info where the helpline number for any country in the whole world can be found in a matter of seconds. So no matter where you are, you can get help.
CREDITS
Script & Director: Marko Roth
DoP: Leo Schrepel
Production Company: Badass
Executive Producer: Blaise Izard, Marie Bordaz
Line Producer: Manuel Henoque
Assistant Director: Franklin Ohannessian
Casting Director: Joanna Delon
Costume Design: Audrey Belin
Make-Up Artist: Laure Talazac
Production Design: Charlotte Smoos
Edit: Nikolaus Kohler
Edit Assistant: Linea Zientz
Color Grading: Marina Starke
Sound Design: Etienne de Nanteuil, Octopus Productions
Composer: Gustav Karlstrom
Orchestra Recording: Gränslandet Orkester led by Christian Karlsen
Copywriter: Vicky Jacob-Ebbinghaus
1ST AC: Raphael Aprikian, Andrès Gomez
2ND AC: Mathias Gaume, Roxanne Jouannin
Steadycam Operator: Cédric Autier
Key Gaffer: Nicolas Pradeau
Key Grip: Jean baptiste Laurent
Grip: Max Mitrochine
Sound: Gabriel Roches
Location Manager: Eric Girard
Set-Runner: Clément Febvre
Cast//
Louise: Eugenie Derouand
Jacques: Quentin Faure
Pharmacist: Soria Mouffakir
Special thanks to:
Focus Film Lab, Vantage, RVZ, Kodak
Shot on location in Paris, France.