Many women have significantly and effectively challenged the institutionalized social system that men have dominated throughout generations. In the book Dismantling the Patriarchy, Bit by Bit: Feminism and Digital Technology, Judith K. Brodsky sheds light on the societal and political differences women experience on a constant basis, and how they've been incorporated into artistic expression. In the age of digital art (with the aid of software, computers, streaming, and digital film) feminism has fully broken out into accessible, popular ways, and recent cinema has seen great strides in female empowerment through these digital, technological platforms.
For Women's History Month, it's important to take a look at these recent films where women have achieved mainstream success, from taking the reins as leading names in big budget projects, in some instances taking on roles originally written for men, to directing and overseeing a range of pre- and post-production procedures, equality and equity for women has come far in the industry, but as it is in other cases, there is still more to do in order to achieve the same financial recognition as their male counterparts.
Utilizing film to tell these stories associated within the movement of feminism, while deconstructing layers of the long-standing and problematic patriarchy, is more important than ever before. What these films do is spark important conversations around the social status of women in modern day society, while questioning the traditional notions of what female sexuality and femininity should look like (not all women wear short skirts and heels, by the way). If you'd like to see some films that accurately disassemble the authority, influence, and leadership of males in society (because guys should absolutely not tell us what to do), we've created a list consisting of the best films where women prevailed in challenging the status quo. Some days, especially in Women's History Month you want so smash the patriarchy a little harder than others; these movies show women who have.
7 Hidden Figures
Based on the nonfiction novel Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, this film depicts the untold story of three female African-American mathematicians working at NASA and serving a critical role in the early years of its United States space program. Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) are all the architects behind the launch of astronaut John Glenn (Glen Powell) into orbit, deemed as one of the greatest NASA operations in history. Insightful about a pivotal time in American history (1961), the film also highlights periods of segregation in the work place, with the women being required to use separate dining and bathroom facilities from the rest of the staff.
6 She's Gotta Have It
Having so many options of potential suitors that you just decide to date all of them? Some of us can't relate. Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns) dates three at the same time, due to her indecisiveness around which specific type of guy she's interested in. Among the men in She's Gotta Have It are Greer Childs (John Canada Terrell), an extremely wealthy and handsome man but with narcissistic tendencies, Jamie Overstreet (Tommy Redmond Hicks), a stable alpha male, and Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee), a kind but geeky and persistent personality. Nola, if you still are unable to make up your mind, drop the address off of one of the guys you want off your hands (except Greer, he's not worth all the trouble). The modern Netflix adaptation of Spike Lee's revolutionary debut smashes the patriarchy hard, too.
5 On the Basis of Sex
Struggling attorney and new mom Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Felicity Jones) faces a wide range of obstacles head on in the midst of her struggle for equal rights. As On the Basis of Sex follows the early years of the late Supreme Court justice, viewers are able to see an in depth analysis of the relationship dynamic between Ruth and her husband Martin Ginsburg (Armie Hammer), as well as the groundbreaking tax case that solidified her career, in addition to the way in which the courts looked over gender discrimination cases. RBG was one of the most significant figures in shattering parts of the glass ceiling.
4 Thelma and Louise
Friends like Thelma or Louise are extremely difficult to come by in today's day and age, if there's even any non-internet, real friends left to interact with. Housewife Thelma (Geena Davis) tags along with her friend, waitress Louise (Susan Sarandon), while on a fishing trip. Their trip becomes a battle between the women and the police (with them both fleeing to Mexico) as Louise shoots and kills a man who tries to rape Thelma during their stop at a local bar. The film also has Brad Pitt in a great early role as J.D.
3 The Lost Daughter
The psychological drama The Lost Daughter centers around college professor Leda Caruso (Olivia Colman), who becomes obsessed with Nina (Dakota Johnson), a young mother, and Nina's three-year-old daughter Elena. Based on the novel by Elena Ferrante, The Lost Daughter tackles the heightened feelings around guilt, more specifically Leda's guilt and disillusionment around her early memories of motherhood. As unsettling as this film is at times, it does make for a great, mysterious feminist thriller to watch.
2 The Divine Order
If any reader feels as though their significant other doesn't appreciate them, watch this film with them and instantly see the shift in their personalities. Set in the early 1970s during the rise of movements related to sexual liberation and Black power, Nora Ruckstuhl (Marie Leuenberger) lives in a small Swiss village along with her husband, their two children, and her father-in-law. After informing her husband of her deep desire to go back to work, increasingly becoming more bored with housework chores, Hans (Maximilian Simonischek) refutes her proposal and instead suggests they have another child.
Feeling greatly unappreciated by their husbands, Nora and the group of women in her village go on strike from their home duties, leaving the men to take care of the children instead, along with cooking and cleaning. Tackling topics of sexual liberation, the right to vote, and female empowerment, The Divine Order is a great film that depicts much of the challenges that women began to rise against during the '70s.
1 Waitress
Trapped in an abusive marriage, waitress Jenna Hunterson (Keri Russell, in her first leading role in a film) banks on plans to skip town after she discovers that she's pregnant, racing from time to flee before her condition is noticeable. On her quest to earn as much money as she can to fund her departure, she places her energy into her enrollment in a pie contest which offers a $25,000 grand prize, although her husband refuses to allow her to go. Set in the deep South of America, Waitress details the tragedy, pain, numerous obstacles, and uncertainty that Jenna undergoes throughout her transformation of self reflection.