Whale Rider (2002)
Whale Rider is about a young girl in the Maori tribe in New Zealand who enlists the help of her family to become the first female chief of her tribe. This gorgeous film is both feminist and intersectional, and includes breath-taking cinematography and storytelling. Watch this critically-acclaimed film if you feel like straying from the blockbuster norm and need your heart warmed by a badass girl taking on patriarchal customs.
Miss Representation (2011)
Miss Representation is a fascinating documentary that takes a critical look at the representation of women in the media. Featuring prominent academics, feminists, and celebrities, this film examines both what is wrong about how women are seen in the media as well as how to fix the problems. Prepare for your jaw to hit the floor when you hear certain facts and figures in this well-crafted documentary.
Thelma and Louise (1991)
Thelma and Louise is a flick about two badass women who shoot a rapist and run away in a 1966 Thunderbird. This is a must-watch for any angry feminist in need of some catharsis. Thelma and Louise stars prominent feminist Geena Davis, who later founded the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, a research-based group promoting gender balance in the media. Geena Davis is also featured in the documentary Miss Representation.
Billy Elliot (2000)
Billy Elliot is a film about a talented young boy who has his heart set on becoming a dancer despite all obstacles. This film is a beautiful and touching illustration of how masculinity cannot and should not be limited, and that males should feel free to express themselves and their emotions through art. This is the perfect film for feminists looking for the male perspective, and for people who feel frustrated with the fragility and limitations of masculinity.
Persepolis (2007)
Persepolis is an award-winning animated film about a precocious and ambitious young girl living in a post-Revolution Iran under a tyrannical and fundamentalist regime. This film is feminist, intersectional, and political, but is told in an accessible and relatable way. This human interest piece will speak volumes to any feminist looking for a greater understanding of women’s issues from around the world.
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