You can use a good movie to do anything; learn about history, cry your feelings out, roll around laughing, or regain a sense of your ethics. As a feminist, I sometimes find my mind clouded by the constant opinions thrown in my face on a daily basis, and the misogyny we see hiding in every nook & cranny of our daily lives - it’s so easy to lose yourself in the hassle. For this reason, I’ve compiled this short list of some of the best movies that will realign your values for you, and help you become a better feminist.
Before we get into this, I’d like to make a few disclaimers. First that, of course, some of these movies will contain blatant sexism, which is mostly to serve the aim of the movie - this is a list of movies that have a feminist purpose, nothing more, nothing less. Secondly, most of these movies aren’t exactly, well, PG-13, so viewer discretion is advised. Also, I’d like to point out that these are only 4 movies of many, and that there will probably be a part 2 to this, if not more. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
(Source: Leedsinspired)
Not to be dramatic, but this is actually the most exciting documentary I’ve ever watched; in fact, it plays more like a movie, walking us through the eventful life of Kathleen Hanna in the most empowering way possible. The movie briefs you about the famous third-wave (of feminism) and the riot grrrl movement (which you, if you’re a fan of our weekly #WOMANHOODWEDNESDAYS, already know a fraction about) before telling Kathy’s story through her eyes, and the eyes of those around her. The full movie is available on YouTube here.
(Source: Screenshot)
This female-directed and written indie film explores the life of an artistically inclined teenage girl. The movie highlights and revolves mainly about the complex relationship between Lady Bird and her mum, a type of relationship which is rarely highlighted in cinema, if ever, along with presenting the nature of Lady Bird’s friendships, relationships and fleeting love interests. What sets this movie apart is the portrayal of Lady Bird’s love life and friend circle as side plots, rather than the main focus of the entire movie, instead of focusing more on Lady Bird as a full, real person.
(Source: Film School Rejects)
Hear me out - I know this movie isn’t radically feminist and that it doesn’t save anyone from any real dangers, especially with how misunderstood it is, but it is quite feminist. Think about it, the history of the term ‘dumb blonde’, which is how Elle Woods, our protagonist, is viewed by her peers, stems from the belief that women can either be beautiful or smart, and that no woman can acquire both assets. It has been portrayed this way in films and adverts since the 1970s, and the stereotype is still alive and affecting many women’s careers, even in 2020. Elle challenges her peers’ perception of her with her eager approach to legal matters and her studies. Not only that, but we also get to witness first-hand the age-old misogynist-birthed battle between blondes and brunettes, and, for a change, experience a triumphal end to it. Legally Blonde will, simply put, make you carry yourself differently. You’ll see.
(Source: Flix66)
The story of the most celebrated female author in the history of french literature, Colette, played by the one and only Keira Knightley. Colette was but a girl from the countryside when she moved to Paris with her abusive husband, a struggling “writer”, whos is, in fact, anything but a writer. Colette’s husband owns a “factory” of writers, who write books and screenplays under his name, and, before long, he turns Colette into one of his ghosts, and she goes on to write his bestselling book series yet. This movie is, in all honesty, ferociously feminist, as it portrays Colette as just the free, empowered figure she is not only using the already compelling plot, but also using the directory and cinematography of the film. Throughout the movie, you’ll notice that Colette is always in the centre of the screen, and is hardly ever cast away to the sidelines - a clever move by the director to exaggerate the dominant, powerful nature of our protagonist.
Every movie on this list means a lot to me, not just because of the effort that went into its making, but also because watching movies like these remind you of yourself; it helps you regain your emotional stability, gives you that amazing, chilly feeling in your bones that you get when you get goosebumps, and readjusts your moral compass.
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