Rosamund Pike: A Beacon of Equality and Empowerment

For over a century, Marie Skłodowska-Curie has been an inspiring figure for women seeking self-realization in various professions. The creators of the film “Radioactive” offer a contemporary perspective on the life of the renowned scientist who discovered radioactivity. The lead role is played by the talented actress Rosamund Pike.

The Life of Marie Skłodowska-Curie: A Heroine’s Journey

Life is the best scriptwriter, and the fate of Marie Skłodowska-Curie is a testament to that. No heroic narrative is complete without a “hero’s arc,” which encompasses irreversible changes on the path to catharsis. For a long time, the classical notion of a “hero” was predominantly associated with men. It is only relatively recently that women have begun to occupy such positions, often in the realm of fantasy and superhero tales. However, even the cosmic adventures of Princess Leia from the fantastical “Star Wars” pale in comparison to the earthly trials faced by a Polish immigrant who changed the world’s understanding of both its physical structure and the social role of women within it.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie: A Pioneer in Science and Motherhood

Since 1903, when a former governess became the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics, and later in Chemistry, not only her scientific discoveries but also her personality have been the subject of global attention. Who was this woman who processed over 400 tons of uranium ore in her lifetime? How did she manage to dedicate herself entirely to science while raising two daughters, one of whom also went on to win a Nobel Prize?

Speaking of her achievements, it is hard not to slip into a grandiose style of description. At a time when women in no country had the official right to vote, a gold medalist from a Warsaw gymnasium arrived in Paris, where women were already allowed to pursue university education. However, a diploma was just the beginning of her journey into the world of science, which she considered “the foundation of all progress, alleviating human life and reducing its suffering.” On this path, she met Pierre Curie, who became not only her husband but also a faithful companion in her scientific endeavors. Together, they delved into a new area of physics and, despite challenging working conditions, felt happy. By discovering radioactivity, they disproved the hypothesis of the indivisibility of the atom, which was comparable to a scientific revolution. Although Marie insisted that “scientific work cannot be viewed from the standpoint of direct practical utility,” and her engagement in science was primarily a quest for the beauty of the world, the significance of their joint discoveries is immeasurable. These discoveries led to the determination of the age of geological formations, the creation of X-ray machines, and the use of radiotherapy in cancer treatment. The scientists themselves did not seek wealth; they intentionally did not patent their discoveries, believing that their scientific findings belonged to the world.

Rosamund Pike in “Radioactive”

Marie Skłodowska-Curie continued her research even after the tragic death of Pierre, who was killed by a horse-drawn carriage. She received her second Nobel Prize alone, unafraid to travel to Stockholm despite the scandal surrounding her name due to an affair with a married colleague. She never acted to meet others’ expectations and had no intention of doing so after discovering radioactivity to the world. It is no coincidence that Marie Skłodowska-Curie became the first woman interred in the Paris Pantheon based on her own merits. Her remains were transferred there only in 1995 in a lead-lined coffin. Even after death, she continues to radiate energy and is essentially a “radioactive” element, acting contrary to accepted expectations.

The more one studies the life of Marie Skłodowska-Curie, the more one is amazed by the uniqueness of her personality and fate. It is no wonder that she has become the heroine of many books, one of which was written by her younger daughter. The life of the great scientist continues to inspire authors to create works about her. Moreover, modern forms of storytelling provide new opportunities for presenting these narratives. For example, Lauren Redniss’s graphic novel about the life of Marie Curie inspired another artist, Marjane Satrapi, to create a film that differs from classical biopics in its unusual visual construction. Marjane is well acquainted with the language of comics, as she is the author of the biographical comic “Persepolis,” based on the memories of an Iranian girl about the Islamic Revolution of 1979. In 2007, an animated film based on it was released, which won a special prize at the Cannes Festival and provoked persecution from religious fundamentalists. Thus, Marjane knows what it means to loudly declare her aspirations in a world where men set the rules of behavior. Although her film about Marie Curie does not fully reflect the life of this great woman, “Radioactive” fulfills its main task—it once again makes us remember and reconsider the significance of an individual in the development of all humanity.

Rosamund Pike: A Versatile Actress

Rosamund Pike plays the lead role in the film “Radioactive.” From the beginning of her film career, Rosamund has partnered with famous Hollywood actors. It is enough to say that the first among them was Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in the action movie “Die Another Day.” A bright and sophisticated blonde, Rosamund has often been a worthy pair to stars such as Johnny Depp, Tom Cruise, Ryan Gosling, and Bruce Willis. But since she starred in the lead role in David Fincher’s film “Gone Girl,” for which she was nominated for the prestigious Academy Award, the actress seems to have moved to a higher league, adding stardom to projects with her participation. Lately, Rosamund has mainly starred in films that draw public attention to socially acute topics. In this regard, her work in the 2018 film “A Private War” is particularly interesting, where she played the role of war correspondent Marie Colvin, known for her reports from hotspots, including Syria. Almost immediately after filming in the Middle East, which required incredible physical and especially emotional effort from the actress, Rosamund began creating the no less challenging image of Marie Curie, a symbol of the female beginning in science. It is no coincidence that the first screening of “Radioactive” in Britain took place on March 8, 2020, and was timed to coincide with International Women’s Day.

I was fortunate to meet Rosamund Pike in person right after the release of the film “A Private War.” However, our conversation with the 42-year-old actress about the release of the film “Radioactive” took place during the quarantine period online. Rosamund answered questions while in Prague, where she participated in the filming of the television series “The Wheel of Time,” which promises to be a large-scale adaptation of Robert Jordan’s literary cycle of the same name.

In an interview, Rosamund shared her thoughts on working with Marjane Satrapi and the challenges of portraying such an iconic figure as Marie Curie. She emphasized the importance of telling stories about women who have made significant contributions to science and society, highlighting the need for more such narratives in the film industry.

For more information about the film and its historical context, you can visit the official Nobel Prize website.