"Girl-Power" movies are rare gems that often get dismissed as too well, girly, but they are usually high-quality, serious movies that focus on the more controversial and pioneering experiences of women. Finding these unconventional movies can be difficult, but well-worth the effort.
A "Girl-Power" film is a winning combination of social awareness
and female focus, answering both the need for more quality female leads
and attention to feminist issues (such as female leadership or gender
stereotypes). “A
lot of people really aren't open to seeing strong female characters out there.
And when they are seen, they have to be some sort of sex symbol…”observed actress Michelle Rodriguez, the star of the female boxer movie Girlfight, an apt assessment of today's entertainment climate. Indeed seeing a movie with a ballsy female lead is refreshing in a society still battling gender equality issues. Where mainstream movies avoid more progressive images of women, (and designate female leads as sexpots or damsels in distress) "Girl-Power" movies embrace and celebrate the opposite, distinctive and empowered heroines. Outside of the blockbusters
full of scantily clad women and male warriors, here are five must-see smaller films that
perceptively capture feminist issues with believable, relatable heroines going
against the grain.
Whale Rider
Beautifully shot, incredible scenery with eye-opening views
of New Zealand. The Maori tribe of New
Zealand is portrayed with real Maori tribe
members on location. It is by far the
one of the best down-to-earth depictions of an indigenous population. The focus
of the film is an intelligent and exceptional young girl whose grandfather is
obsessed with restoring traditions and tribal leadership. The girl herself is clearly a candidate for
the new leadership, which by tradition must be one of the young boys of the
town. She struggles not just to prove
that women can take on such a role, but also to be accepted by her grandfather,
father, find her sense of self, and discover the frailty and potential of her
community. Character development in this movie does not stop at the main
characters and the entire film is touching, believable, and familiar. This movie is multi-faceted and profound in a
difficult and easily stereotyped subject of indigenous life and feminism.
Keisha Castle-Hughes gives an incredible performance as Paikea, the protagonist,
that is gripping from start to finish (and got her an Oscar nomination). It
will blow you away with its realism and emotion. Its relative lack of profanity
and sex make it a good family movie.
PG-13, 101 min.
Bend It Like Beckham
Zany, colorful, and energetic, Bend It Like Beckham is a fun movie with a sensitive core. Two young British girls, one Indian, one
white, dream of soccer stardom despite opposition from mothers and their
chances of making it to an American team. Jesminder or ‘Jess’ encounters more
troubles with playing soccer than her friend, as the daughter of traditional
Sikh parents. Heavy on comedy and
fast-paced soccer scenes, this film races along and touches on nearly every
topic ranging from cultural differences, family, athletic triumph, romance,
body image, and friendship. The director Gurinder Chadha gives an in-depth
portrayal of Jesminder’s British-Indian life through Jesminder’s sister’s
wedding, which develops throughout the movie. The extensive and demanding
wedding serves as a distinct reminder of Jess’ dual-identity and duties. Keira Knightley (the female lead from Pirates
of the Caribbean) co-stars with Parminder Nagra
(ER). Both give enrapturing performances
that will have you cheering and rooting for their goals. An obvious choice for
athletic enthusiasts, and especially soccer fans!
PG-13, 112 min.
Real Women Have Curves
Like its title suggests, the film focuses much (but not
entirely) on a Latina girl’s
body-image dilemma as a full-figured young woman. Confident, smart, and hard-working, Ana
Garcia is becoming a woman and grappling with her sexual appeal, a future at Columbia
University, and a strict mother.
Though her character faces many hurdles and social conventions, she is
strong-willed and assertive throughout about being herself, even though she
isn’t entirely sure about everything just yet.
One of the best self-assured, inspiring, and unconventional heroines
ever put on film. The movie successfully shows how body image holds back women
from feeling confidence they should without becoming corny or
melodramatic. The over-bearing mother is
depicted with sensitivity and depth, revealing a profound side of motherhood. This
movie is a great choice for teenage girls battling body-image problems and
beginning to explore their sexuality.
Not a great family film due to sexual scenes which run long and are
integral to the plot.
PG-13, 90 min.
Norma Rae
Set in a small Southern paper-mill town, this film is an
enlightening, perceptive look into working-class life and unionization as well
as the trials of being a female leader.
The odds couldn’t be stacked higher against anyone (and this is based on
a true story!), as Norma Rae, a mill-worker struggling to support her children
as a single mother, commits herself to improving factory conditions and
rallying her town behind the daring idea of a union. Norma Rae is a great character who goes
through life’s common hurdles of bad boyfriends, affairs, abusive
relationships, balancing her family and work life, an over-protective father,
and finding her inner ambition to realize her dreams for fair and safe work
conditions. Sally Field makes her
character Norma Rae an incredibly un-annoying focus that reminds one of a
friend rather than a distant hero. She is especially moving as a mother with an
impeccably executed mix of sternness, honesty, and love to her children. This
is an excellent choice for non-fiction lovers because of its documentary-like
flow and film-style. The pace of the
movie develops into a suspenseful, thrilling story as the film follows the
development of establishing the union at her mill. It’s enrapturing from start to finish as you
root for the union’s success and Norma Rae’s happiness.
PG, 110 min.
Muriel’s Wedding
With a setting of Porpoise Spit, Australia
and a soundtrack of ABBA, you can already guess that this film is an oddball
comedy. This is a quirky, often dark,
and brutally real story of a woman, Muriel, past her prime, living with her
parents (an arrogant father and robotic mother), and obsessed with ABBA, yet
it’s hilarious, winsome, and a real gem.
As if things couldn’t get worse, Muriel is also socially inept and
slightly delusional, clinging to a clique of small-town pretty girls that mock
and abuse her. It has a bit of a satirical
take on makeover movies as Muriel undergoes a transformation of her own and finds
a new life. Kudos to the director for
not making her makeover include a weight loss, but just a better haircut. The clever presence of wedding-mania women go
through is hilariously dealt with in the film, and in the end is used as a
serious point for Muriel’s new outlook on life.
It is a refreshingly non-judgmental and all-encompassing look at what it
means to be popular, successful, feminine, and happy for a woman without lots
of luck in today’s world. Despite a
feel-good drive to it, Muriel’s Wedding
is never sentimental or mushy and remains true to its anti-Hollywood take on
melodramatic events (such as finding a gal pal, cancer, and suicide). Muriel
and her life-changing best friend Rhonda are a familiar Thelma and Louise type
pair minus some of the cinematic glam. If you loved Welcome to the Dollhouse or Drop
Dead Gorgeous, you’ll definitely appreciate the dark, meaningful laughs in
this film.
R, 106 min.
The Impact of Seeing ‘Feminist’ Films
These films, among others, are not just comforting in their similarity to our own lives, but also enlightening as stories about humanity in general and how we deal with adversity. Day to day it doesn't always seem as though a radically different image of the female gender is needed, but seeing these passionate, positive, and intelligent depictions of women confronting gender stereotypes and barriers on screen never fails to make one stop and think about the rarity of it. At the very least, discovering such quality cinema is entertaining, exposure to superb film-making, and accessible to anyone with an appreciation for a top-notch, underdog story.