In its history, the cinema has not been used to give equal place to men and women, whether in its stories, its technicians or its stars, women have often suffered from their lack of representation. And even if the situation is improving, it is far from ideal. However, many feminist films or with inspiring female characters exist. And on the occasion of the International Women's Rights Day, this Wednesday, March 8, we want to celebrate five of these heroines or groups of heroines of cinema, known or not.
They are probably the most cult feminist heroines in the history of cinema. Thelma and Louise, respectively played by Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon in Ridley Scott 's film (1991) are two best friends. They are bored in the monotonous life that their husbands offer them and decide to offer a weekend to themselves. But as soon as they get there, the attempted rape of one of them leads the other to commit murder. From then on, their escape becomes a road-trip across the United States and a crusade against men. We bet that everyone who saw it was marked by the final scene of this incredible film.
Directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven and co-written with Alice Winocour(Seeing Paris Again), Mustang is an incredible tale of emancipation for a sorority of five in the heart of a remote Turkish village. After being caught playing with boys, the five girls are imprisoned in their home and marriages begin to be arranged. A powerful desire for freedom takes hold of them and the sisters will do anything to free themselves from the grip of their family, especially their father. And to do so, they will have to go beyond the limits of what was conceivable for them until then.
This is one of the most feminist films by one of the most feminist directors of French cinema, Agnès Varda. Released in 1977 and with a story taking place in 1962, it is exciting to discover the struggle of women at that time. And they are numerous! L'une chante, l'autre pas tells the story of Pauline and Suzanne 's unbreakable friendship for almost 15 years. Throughout these years, their identity asserts itself and they do not hesitate to fight for their rights, in particular that of abortion, but not only. It's a fascinating film, almost like a fresco, telling the story of a whole era. One of the best films by Agnès Varda, who is unfortunately one of the least represented and recognized filmmakers of the New Wave.
This film by Claude Chabrol tells a true story, that of Marie-Louise Giraud, one of the last women sentenced to the guillotine in France. This woman was an angel maker during the Occupation. First to help the women around her, then to earn a living, Marie-Louise begins to dream of another life, but obviously, this is not the opinion of justice, or rather of men. It is a beautiful portrait of a woman, magnificently interpreted by the incredible Isabelle Huppert.
Haifaa Al-Mansour, the director of this film, has made history. She is the very first woman to have directed a film in Saudi Arabia, where cinema is banned. That was in 2012, with Wadjda, which could also have been in this selection. In The Perfect Candidate, the filmmaker portrays a young Saudi surgeon, Maryam, revolted by the fate of women in her country, and herself a victim of the ban on travel without her father's consent, decided to run in the municipal elections in her small town. Immensely political, this feature film released in 2019 shows how difficult it is to be a woman in Saudi Arabia, where they have almost no rights. The young woman will face insults, low blows, but above all, she raises hope in women who had none. A little-known film that is a must-see.
Women's Rights Day: feminist films to discover in cinemas on March 8
March 8 is International Women's Rights Day. And while this year's date doesn't fall on a Wednesday, the day on which films are released in cinemas, distributors are still offering us a selection of films featuring women. Here's a small selection. [Read more]
Women's Rights Day: feminist films to discover in cinemas on March 8
