My favourite feminist films that get it right sis

Given the global pandemic we are all universally suffering through together (but not physically cuz stay 2M away from me pls) a lot of us who aren't working right now have A LOT of extra time on our hands and whilst yeah, we could crack down and write that manuscript or learn to paint or juggle or recite Paradise Lost fluently in French, we (we being me here) don't really feel too up to that. What do we instead you ask? Just pretend you did actually ask and you like actually care, well Sally, we watch films. Good films that show you productive strong female role models whose worth isn't correlated with their looks. Today I am going to share a few of my favourite and what I genuinely consider to be the most impactful feminist films that I love and have been turning to in this strange time. 

Booksmart 

Booksmart is director Olivia Wilde's debut and gosh darn, if this is the first thing that comes out of this wonderful woman's brain then I cannot wait until that brain is picked, prodded and sucked dry by Hollywood. Booksmart is a fast paced bildungsroman but not in the traditional sense, the main characters, high schoolers Amy and Molly already know unapologetically who they are and what they want- success but, the duration of the films sees them pushing themselves beyond this to have additional 'high school' experiences they know they will still be whole and complete without. My favourite part about this film is how much these two girls lift each other up, they cheer on their besties successes without any sense of envy and never really seem to make it about their looks yet, they still have dilemas where romantic partners are concerened. That artsy dance scene when they arrive at the party is the cherry on the cake. This just goes to show perfection doesn't exist and any experience that you have is a valid and fulfilling one. The dialogue is seamless with audiences of my generation, never cringe worthy or feeling forceful, the cast is diverse and the wardrobe is utterly attainable. You are left wanting to find a friendship like Molly and Amy and have a teacher like Miss Fine to endlessly discuss the heaven sent Gilmore Girls with. Much wholesome, very wow, five out five. 

Mona Lisa Smile

I've had a theory for years that Julia Roberts can do no wrong and this film just solidifies this indefinitely. Here she plays the role of a progressive, forward thinking teacher at an all girls strict college in 1950s America, Her inner Virginia Woolf sends me. This film is art. This Film literally has Marie Antoinette, Kat Stratford and Snow white in it, okay well not literally but the actors that play these iconic roles which are reversed in this film and make Emily Davison raise a rebellious revolutionary fist from in her grave in respect for Katherine. Think Dead poet's society but feminine and better. It challenges and attempts to deconstruct the seemingly solid concept of the feminine experience. Roberts character serves not to question the place of the women but to challenge it, asking questions similar to 'You belong in the kitchen? Well why can't you belong in the Kitchen at Yale law school after you've finished all your studies for the day?' and I am so here for that. This film will make you very proud to be a woman. A true classic. 

Spirited away 

Hayao Miyazaki is a master. This is just a fact. He has a real flair for taking female characters and making them and their personal development the focus of his films. I chose Spirited away because in my opinion Chihiro's journey into herself is unparalleled and I feel like she is a synecdoche for Studio Ghibli. She begins the narrative as a naive and selfish girl but learns to overcome all of the fears which make up a hefty portion of her personality to the point where its almost a substitute for one and she does so all herself with little guidance from...a man. However, Miyazaki makes it extremely clear the focus is Chihiro and her journey/ progress so ultimately the premise becomes her saving her parents, a task she feels she needs to undertake and then flaunting her newfound self discovered strength by extending her bravery into saving Haku. I personally find Chihiro's growth super impressive and inspiring and what really packs a punch for me is the fact she is seemingly a child. So young and yet can already identify what injustice looks like and the life she doesn't want to live. I love her and I want to be her. 

special mentions- 

The other women 

Suffragette 

Julie and Julia