It’s Women’s History Month! So, in lieu of this week’s earlier article that celebrated three, throwback-bingeable TV shows centered around some iconic women- Eli and I thought we’d provide three novel and film recommendations to add to your lists before the month is over. Starting with the movies that all were written with the intention to get the watchers into some form of action, be it as an advocate for wildlife, to find their voice in world that feels overwhelmingly patriarchal or to take the saying “if you see something, say something” one step further in the fight against men taking advantage of inebriated women. Before diving into Eli’s picks that all give voice to outcast women, offering their perspectives through tumultuous times.
“Promising Young Women”
Directed and written by Emerald Fennell, a name we’ve seen a lot of recently, this film is centered around Cassie Thomas (Carey Mulligan), a barista seemingly living an obnoxiously ordinary life, dealing with a touch of melancholy. However, it doesn’t take long for the mystery of Cassie’s un-nerving quiet nature to unfold . She’s not just concerningly calm, but incredibly calculated. We watch her take on date after date with awful men who attempt to take advantage of her assuming she’s under the influence. Little do they know that she’s acting, often having not drunk a drop, ready to spring into her own defense if needed against the men’s sexual advances. Throughout the film we watch her stop men in their horrific tracks, and the roles begin to reverse as she becomes the aggressor out of self preservation and teaches these men lessons, in hopes they never take advantage of another woman again. Fennell is masterful in her choices throughout the entire film, doing so to subvert gender roles to make the reveal of Cassie’s true nature that much more shocking. For instance, she uses biblical references to make Cassie appear angelic, even saintly, often placing Cassie in frames to make her appear within a nimbus or halo around her head. Fennell released this movie in 2020, as a response to the “MeToo” movement, in hopes to garner more attention through its cautionary tale. Perhaps, even to serve as a slight call to action for women to start quietly calculating their female rage.
“You might be surprised to hear that gentlemen are sometimes the worst.”
“Barbie”
While this may seem all too on-the-nose, I think it’s safe to say that this list would be incomplete without it. Directed by Greta Gerwig, this film captures the feminine point of view authentically, even with its inclusion of multiple 50s style dance numbers; fitting nicely into Gerwig’s filmography alongside “Lady Bird” and “Little Women” (2019)… Starring Margot Robbie as Barbie, the film follows as she navigates becoming unperfect, shedding the idealized faux-feminism she believed was all she was made for. Aside from the musical numbers, this film puts in the work to use comedy to poke holes in the patriarchy with its characters like Ken (Ryan Gosling). Including incredibly introspective moments following the laughs as a way to keep the audience on their toes and immersed into the world. Another must watch on the list that fits the agenda as a call to action, for all women to break out of the pre-imposed gender expectations. Watch with your mom, your sister, your grandmother and your best friend (even if that best friend is a “Ken”) and buckle up for a roller coaster ride packing all the feelings.
“It is literally impossible to be a woman.”
“Hoppers”
Rounding out this list with a brand new film that just released last week, “Hoppers” hit the theater hard as Pixar’s best film in box office since the release of “Coco” in 2017. While being a film mainly themed around environmental activism, I would argue it’s also incredibly feminist. Following Mabel (Piper Curda), a strong-willed, independent and slightly rage-filled 19-year-old protagonist on a wild journey to save “the glade,” a pond-ecosystem that beavers inhabit. It’s put in jeopardy when evil Mayor Jerry attempts to build a highway that will save drivers all of four minutes to loop around the city of Beaverton. During her mission to save “the glade,” Mable becomes incredibly close with the local wildlife, merging their worlds and the humans in more ways than one. This film makes it to our women’s history list for not only following a young female protagonist, but also showcasing a loving and emotionally layered grandmother-granddaughter relationship; sneaking in roles of women in STEM. Another film that calls viewers of all ages to action to treat the wildlife with kindness, and to protect it like you would your own home. A fantastic pick for all ages that spreads environmental and feminist consciousness through the magic of Pixar’s animation skills.
“I care. Why does that need a label?”
Eli here, coming in with a few book selections. I wanted to choose novels that highlight the perspectives and experiences of women, especially those that are often overlooked or outcast by a society that deems them unimportant or lesser. I am approaching these choices both with the notion of me being a man and not having insight into these perspectives, and also with the notion of education for both myself and anyone else who might choose to read them. I have loved each and every one of these books.
“The Women” by Kristin Hannah
“The Women” is the story of Frances “Frankie” McGrath who loses her brother in combat during the Vietnam War. Frankie is a member of a military family and in order to honor and continue her family’s legacy she enlists as a nurse in the war. She is immediately assigned to take care of several wounded men in horrible living conditions and with a lack of trained staff. By the end of her time serving as a nurse she had learned to fear the sound of helicopters, as it always meant another body. This book deals with trauma, healing, and the experiences of women during and especially after the Vietnam War. When Frankie returned home there was no welcome, not even from family, the only thing the world cared about was not the lives her and the other nurses and women saved, but “who fought for their country.” Women played a vital role in the war, a role that is often overlooked, ignored or outright mocked. This book sheds light on the importance of understanding a different perspective, and every person’s experience during wartime.
“Thank God for girlfriends. In this crazy, chaotic, divided world that was run by men, you could count on the women.”
“Circe” by Madeline Miller
“Circe” is written as a retelling of the character from Greek mythology of the same name. In the book she is born to the mighty god of the sun Helios. She did not have the same immense power, nor her mother’s allures and power of persuasion, she was different. Upon turning to the world of mortals, and finding love and connection among them, she discovers she has the power of witchcraft, a. A power so dangerous, unknown and potentially earth shaking that even the gods fear her. She is then banished by Zeus out of fear to live out the rest of her days on an island meeting characters like the minotaur, Daedalus and his son Icarus and more. While still a work of fantasy fiction, this book highlights the lived experiences of women in a way that is not only eye opening, but deeply personal and impactful. The book explores themes of struggle, resilience and the emotional weight of navigating spaces that fail to fully recognize their value. It ultimately emphasizes the importance of listening to and acknowledging these perspectives, reminding you as you read that every story carries meaning, even when it has been ignored or forgotten.
“It is a common saying that women are delicate creatures, flowers, eggs, anything that may be crushed in a moment’s carelessness. If I had ever believed it, I no longer did”
“Invisible Women” by Caroline Criado Pérez
A list like this would not be complete without nonfiction. As someone who wants to learn more about something I am uneducated in, and as a psychology major fascinated with statistics, I cannot recommend “Invisible Women” enough. Caroline Criado Perez is a celebrated feminist advocate and author who in her book, discusses the deep rooted cause of gender inequality through research. She breaks apart every level from women’s lives at home, the workplace, the public, the doctor’s office and more. Featuring hundreds of studies from the US, UK and other areas around the world, she is able to break down a complicated and deeply misogynistic system that the world operates under. Not only does it have statistics and factual data that is impossible to refute, I think from the perspective of a man it is completely eye opening. One should not read this book if they consider themselves “not sexist,” because it becomes immediately clear that not only is our society built upon this gender divide, but even those ideas we think are fair, are coming from an entirely subjective, inherently male worldview. I would say this book is both illuminating and incredibly frustrating, and yet I cannot recommend it enough.
“It’s not always easy to convince someone a need exists, if they don’t have that need themselves.”
