14 Inspiring Films to Celebrate Women’s History Month
Celebrate the passion and bravery of independent women with these must-watch flicks.
Gloria: In Her Own Words
Gloria Steinem is an iconic feminist role model and activist leader, her career spanning decades. HBO’s documentary shows the writer’s life trajectory and powerful impact on the women’s movement and the history of contemporary feminism. Steinem famously went undercover as a Playboy bunny in the early 1960s, documenting the objectification of women and the perils of living under sexism. In this film, you get to see her interviewed in her own apartment, and reflecting on a life lived in the service of women’s rights. It’s an inspiring look at a passionate and political life.
All About My Mother
Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar is famous for using melodrama, that conventional women’s genre, to showcase the fearless lives of his female characters. This movie won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for its compassionate portrayal of women from all walks of life, an actress, a nun, a trans woman, and a grieving mother who has just lost her son. The director ends the film with a passionate dedication: “To all actresses who have played actresses, to all women who act, to men who act and become women, to all people who want to become mothers. To my mother.” It’s a film that celebrates motherhood and women, and shows caregiving as art. Ready to crack open a book? Check out these ten strongest female literary characters of all time.
Daughters of the Dust
Julie Dash’s masterful arthouse drama is a beautiful meditation on generations of Gullah island women at the turn of the century. Living on an island off the southern coast of South Carolina, three generations consider migrating to the mainland to embark on more modern living. Island life represents heritage and culture and a connection to ancestors, while the move represents a fresh start. The acclaimed film is visually lovely, employing gorgeous cinematography and poetic dialogue. It was the first film directed by an African-American woman to be released theatrically in the U.S. This cinematic rhapsody shows the rich Gullah culture, the strength and elegance of black women, and their enduring support of each other. Check out these thought-provoking movies on the civil rights era.
The Passion of Joan of Arc
This film from the silent era is considered one of the cinema greats of all time. And don’t let the fact that it’s in black and white and silent turn you away. It’s a highly watchable tour de force, that’s keeps you hooked. You’ll find yourself riveted by Renee Falconetti’s emotional performance as Joan of Arc. You’ll feel compassion as she’s questioned by a tribunal of men at her trial and then taken to a torture chamber. Though no actual torture occurs, you’re so drawn in that you feel like you’ve witnessed it. You’re left with unflinching admiration for the historic Joan, her strength and courage, and also, the bravery of the actress who portrays her in this visually stunning classic.