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.

I think The Help, as there aren't really that many men in it and they don't have very good roles. Just love interests and randoms. And Skeeter is under a lot of pressure to get married from her mother but chooses a better role model in the agent from New York.

I have a very feminist 11 year old we’ve enjoyed
Question of Sex
Hidden Figures
Ghostbusters the second one
Oceans 8 - all female bank robbers though message is it’s great to be a crimso caveat that one !

Criminal

On Netflix
Unbelievable- warning it’s a tough watch involving rape but the 2 female detectives and exposure of rape myths is good

Just started watching Unorthodox about a young woman breaking out of repressive religion

Just want to +1 Grandma. Fab film and didn’t get anywhere near the publicity it deserves. Lily Tomlin is brilliant.

This one might be a little left field, but bear with me! I caught the 1955 Ealing comedy, The Ladykillers, on FilmFour the other afternoon. This is one of my all-time favourite films. Stellar performances from Alec Guinness, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellars, Cecil Parker and Danny Green as a gang of criminals, ably supported by Jack Warner and Frankie Howerd amongst others. But I feel the star of the show is 76yo Katie Johnson as Mrs Wilberforce, aka Mrs Lopsided. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who's never seen it so will say nothing about the plot, but let's just say Mrs W is a force to be reckoned with.

(Don't waste your time with the Coen Brothers' remake starring Tom Hanks. I love the Coen Brothers and Tom Hanks but it was abysmal. Why anybody would attempt to remake perfection beats me.)

Heads up that Hidden Figures is on Film4 tonight at 9pm. (On Film4+1 therefore at 10pm.)

Thanks Gasp0de

Now just to figure out how I get Film4

Raise the Red Lantern

One of my all time favourite films, this is a masterpiece of cinema, a very bleak and harrowing film about sexual slavery, oppression, politics, the oppressive power of rituals and traditions, divide and conquer, and gaslighting.

The film is sumptuous and utterly beautiful, the use of colour is exquisite, the performances are breathtaking. Just don't expect a happy, clap, inspiring film it is utterly heartbreaking.

Mandarin language, with English subtitles it can be seen in all its glory on youtube below

There are no scenes of sex or nudity, but some distressing scenes so not siutable for children

Mad Max - fury road.

To paraphrase at the end of world men want women to subvert back to their ‘natural’ place, ignoring that fact that women won’t want to.

Film4 is Freeviw Channel 14

Just in case readers don't know now to access the English subtitles in Raise the Red Lantern (or any other youtube film) you click on the little cog wheel symbol on the lower right of the screen and select "English"