Where do you feel you fit in across the broad spectrum that is feminism? A concept hard to ignore or to dismiss, particularly in today’s society. Whether you’re an active protestor for female rights or merely interested in the movement as a whole, women’s rights and the desire for equality is everywhere. It’s close at home with the Guild’s #NeverOk campaign combatting sexual harassment, but most recently with the arrival of the Hollywood block-buster Suffragette.
Whilst you may immediately start thinking of a long, boring, historical account, fear not! Featuring a star-studded cast with Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter & Meryl Streep, the film is set to bring a whole new level of sass to this pivotal event. In fact, it seems that now more than ever is the perfect time to trace the developments of women’s rights from living in the shadow of a male-dominated society, to gaining the vote and seeing the feminist cause grow and expand internationally.
Outside of the glitz and glamour of the red carpet premiere, the film managed to bring current issues regarding women’s rights to the forefront – and what a better stage than the red carpet and a swarm of paparazzi! Protestors from the feminist group, Sisters Uncut leaped the barriers before lying down in the middle of the red carpet for their debut moment. Chanting “dead women can’t vote”, the active protest highlighted the issue of government spending cuts, which deeply affected victims of domestic violence, who now have less support available to them due to reductions in services. The direct action group claimed that they were mirroring “suffragette methods to declare that, as long as violence against women continues, the battle for women’s liberation has not yet been won” stating that two woman are killed every week on average, at the hands of their partner/ex-partner.
The courageous sisterhood mirrored the actions of their Suffragette predecessors over 100 years earlier by standing up to what they thought to be wrong, in this case, austerity forcing cuts to government spending just as the Suffragettes faced the domineering authority of man.
Yes, whilst it was in the past and is classed as history, we have made significant process since first gaining the vote in 1918 but are reminded that we still have a long way to go. This is not something we should be ashamed of or embarrassed to support, instead it is clear from such actions that inequalities are still occurring but that we still have the power to influence change.
Using the Suffragette film as a platform, Sisters Uncut, armed with their green and purple smoke, placards and coordinated jumpsuits took action, stood bravely and brought the world’s attention to the injustices facing victims of domestic abuse. Without doubt, their actions are truly inspiring and gained the approval of the Hollywood starlets with Helena Bonham Carter claiming the protests were a “perfect response” to the film.
Suffragette is released in cinemas on 12th October, so if you don’t fit into the category of a die-hard history fan, a committed feminist, or a Meryl Streep fanatic, instead watch it for the strong, passionate portrayals of three women fighting for what they believe in – girl power at its finest.
References:
https://sistersuncut.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sistersuncut
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