Hell Hole: A Love Story

by Jo Kadlecek

Directed by Nicholas Papademetriou

Based on the real-life story of the American Catholic icon (Day is now being considered for sainthood for her radical service amongst the urban poor), Hell Hole explores the power of love to change the way we see, and respond to, the world.

Hell Hole: A Love Story, adapted from an original play by Jo Kadlecek is a true and timely story about a young socialist reporter called Dorothy Day. Based in New York City in the 1920’s we look at the some of the events – nights with a drunken Eugene O’Neill, a wild love affair or two, suffragists rallies, multiple arrests and motherhood – that were important parts of her improbable life leading to possible sainthood.

Although it’s a story that began over 100 years ago what Day stood for is still achingly relevant. Without doubt, as a constant advocate for the oppressed, she would have been the first in line to march at the Black Lives Matter protests.

At the same time Day would have found time to coordinate care for the sick (as she did during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic) and still she would have said that it wasn’t enough. She was tireless in her work with the urban poor and the soup kitchens that she started still draw daily crowds for a bowl of nutrition today.

Dorothy Day is an intriguing woman. She is tough. She is challenging. And she made a huge and heartbreaking choice. JTDTC is proud to tell her story as a way of hope, a way of inspiration and a way of moving forward.