Iron Jawed Angels reveals the role that the two women’s suffrage groups, NAWSA and NWP played in the route to gaining women’s suffrage. The film shows how the women of the NWP picketed day after day at the White House, unrelenting. Even after each picketing woman is arrested, they continue to replenish the protesters at the White House. The intense cinematography exposes the mistreatment that the women faced while being arrested and while in prison. When the NWP leaders were imprisoned, the NAWSA continued to power the movement, showing the important contributions of each group. This film emphasizes the powerful, emotional sacrifices and work that each woman put into the suffrage movement— a history that everyone should learn.
Lady Bird is a compelling film surrounding the life of a teenage girl, detailing her relationship with her family and the peers around her. As an indie, less wealthy girl in an extremely wealthy town, Lady Bird is
the odd one out. With her bright coral hair and rebellious ways, Lady Bird longs to leave her West Coast town for an East Coast college. Facing problems, such as money, boys, and a messy relationship with her mom, Lady Bird is an imperfect, realistic character that many teenage girls can resonate with. The way her perspective and emotion is portrayed by Saoirse Ronan, the actress who plays Lady Bird, is so incredibly raw and viewers can’t help but share the same emotions. The visual aesthetic of the film is a romanticized suburb community with beautiful neighborhoods and scenes.
Miss Representation is a documentary revealing sexism in the media. It explores the way women are represented in the media, or for that matter—their misrepresentation. Media largely focuses on superficial aspects of women and this film, featuring women such as Katie Couric and Gloria Steinem, explore how we can overcome such sexism. The documentary presents a lot of important statistics that exposes media and the way sexism is portrayed in the industry. If you have noticed the misrepresentation of women in all aspects of media, this documentary will help amplify your understanding of this issue and give you the desire to fight for change.
An important feminist figure in history is Frida Kahlo. Her defiance of beauty standards and exploration of her own identity through art are ways that she has made history. Through the movie Frida, viewers are able to get to know Frida and the hardships she faced. From being crippled by polio to being in a serious car accident that left her in pain for her entire life, Frida’s life is difficult, but her strength prevails. Even her relationship with her husband Diego Rivera is more turbulent that most would think, with infidelity on both sides. Her bisexuality is also emphasized as part of her identity, showing that Frida’s life is more than painting beautiful self-portraits, but one of struggle and often times, darkness.
