Films with a feminist angle

[rosiepony]

Hi everyone, I’m looking for films with a feminist angle to watch during this lockdown.

I watched Silence of The Lambs last night with my DD for the first time in ages. I was reminded how brilliant it is, how it centres Jodie’s role and shines a critical light on all the male characters although they’re exaggerated for entertainment. I also had new reflections on Buffalo Bill and his ‘woman suit’ although I won’t go into that for fear of being banned! Quite timely given what’s going on though!

Anyway, I’d be grateful for any recommendations. Thanks.

Buffalo Bill called the women 'it'. Talk about othering and dehumanising! That film gave me nightmares because I can't bear suspense. Don't mind gore, can't cope with suspense!

Doesn't Steel Magnolias get lauded as feminist? I've never actually seen it.

Self Made, on Netflix -- about a black woman in the USA who became the first female millionaire over there. I'm not usually one who cares much about people becoming millionaires, but it's really good.

Something quite different:
Mumbai Central, also on Netflix. About a young, poor country girl lured into the big city only to be forced into prostitution. Yes, it's harrowing but important to know this is happening. (And it has a sort-of happy ending!)

Thelma and Louise

Pride and Prejudice but I’d go bbc mini series every time

Sorry: Mumbai Central is on Amazon Prime, not Netflix.
In Hindi, with subtitles.

Erin Brockovich

I also had new reflections on Buffalo Bill and his ‘woman suit’ although I won’t go into that for fear of being banned!

Ha! The internet is way ahead of you. It's already been condemned as transphobic.
qz.com/quartzy/1566136/silence-of-the-lambs-is-a-win-for-women-but-fails-lgbtq-culture/
(this is just one of many)

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop cafe is a wonderful woman centric film - lots of women caring for women.

I don't know that 'Now and Then' is exactly feminist but it is definitely female led and develops all the girls as fully formed human beings. Sort of a Stand By Me but with girls (so gets no where near the same plaudits - despite being excellent)

@AllianceOfCorcles Pride and Prejiduce? How?

Brilliant thanks. I’m definitely going to watch Mumbai Central.

I absolutely love North Country with Charlize Theron. The scene at the meeting where her dad finally stands up against the men who had been harassing and abusing his daughter is chilling.

I’m now going to read that threat, thanks Icantreatchthepretzels!

So funny that it’s considered transphobic. We can see you! The lies are going to be their undoing!

Made in Dagenham, Wild with Reese Witherspoon, On the Basis of Sex with Felicity Jones, Little Women (I prefer the 90s and 50s versions but recent one was ok).

North Country sounds great. I loved that film where Charline Theron played Aileen Warnoff (sp?)

I’d really recommend Miss Sloane, a Jessica Chastain film about a political operative. I was really struck that a couple of times it felt like they were going to use sexual violence as a way of moving the plot on (you know the way lazy shitty screenwriters do) and then they just... didn’t. It felt like a really explicit choice. I think Chastain is super-smart - I always feel comfortable when I see she’s acting in something because I think as an actor she takes really intelligent decisions about scripts. Miss Sloane is also just a really good film especially if you find politics process stuff interesting.

Alias Grace, it's on Netflix. (Margaret Atwood novel)

quote taken from google

Two servants of the Kinnear household, Grace Marks and James McDermott, were convicted of the crime. McDermott was hanged and Marks was sentenced to life imprisonment. Although the novel is based on factual events, Atwood constructs a narrative with a fictional doctor, Simon Jordan, who researches the case

Does anyone know where I can stream the film about Ruth Bader-Ginsberg? I think it's called "A Question of Sex" or something similar. Saw a trailer at the cinema but didn't get round to seeing it before it finished.

The Colour Purple

I watched Self Made last week & really enjoyed it too. It's only a short mini series, worth a look.

Re the Buffalo Bill stuff - watched Silence of the Lambs recently with my teen & picked up more 'nuance' from Hannibal's description of who he was (in comparison to me not really noticing the details back when I saw it originally) & noted the fact he didn't consider him to be 'transsexual' because of his fucked up reasons/background/justification on his metamorphosis experiment. That & the fact he'd murdered his transsexual friend. The point being he was a mentally ill psychopath killing women to make a skin suit & not someone expressing his 'true authentic self'. Strange times when the film says he wasn't actually trans & its still transphobic. It's all fiction anyway so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Frozen. Got to be Frozen! Moana and Brave as well, come to think of it.

(I probably have similar thoughts to you about Buffalo Bill, OP)

It's brilliant Rosie. So many powerful scenes...the courtroom scene where the bravery of the women is in sharp contrast to the cowardice of the men is another standout. And I like it as well because even the good guys in it who stand up for women, like the lawyer and Glory's husband, are shown in subtle ways to disrespect women and not entirely see them as equal. It really demonstrates what women are up against.

Yes...Monster! Another one I love. I really felt for Aileen in the movie. Exploited and abused from Day One. Even though she was a killer, I have sympathy and it is probably a lot to do with Charlize's performance.

"The Descent" is on one level a pick-them-off-one-by-one haunted house in a cave job, but it's also a study of female character and group dynamics, where loyalty and betrayal determine your fate.

Avoid the silly sequel.

I love The Descent. The English teacher...can't remember her name - was my favourite character. Such a good, loyal, strong woman to the end.

should have read that article 1st. They actually see Buffalo Bill as 'trans' 🤦🏻‍♀️

Demme even said this "Jonathan Demme responded that the character was not supposed to be gay or trans, but rather someone so profoundly damaged that he was seeking transformation in any way possible."

Sheesh 🙄

Mad Max Fury Road, not for the squeamish or faint of heart but a really surprisingly feminist film. I remember seeing it’s creator talking about how at the heart of it it was about the toxicity of male warlords, it certainly has parallels with ISIS. It’s another one starring Charlize Theron too.