In Switzerland, we – that is, all those who are fed up with the patriarchy – will be taking to the streets on June 14. But there is always a reason to strike. And you can do it from the comfort of your own home: by watching a selection of feminist films, leaving Roman Polanski, Woody Allen and the like to one side.
Poor Things (Yorgos Lanthimos, 2023)
The King of Greek Weird Wave repeatedly brings non-conformist, uncomfortable female characters to the screen. For example Bella Baxter, the main character in Poor Things, which is based on the novel of the same name by Alasdair Gray. The film is a visual masterpiece that at times resembles a fever dream. And Bella, who was practically created by the mad scientist Dr. Godwin, explores this colourful world full of joie de vivre. Men are somehow exciting and serve their purpose quite well, but Bella soon realizes that the world has so much more to offer.
Photos: © picture alliance pa
Little Women (Greta Gerwig, 2019)
Louisa May Alcott’s classic “Little Women” is one of those books that everyone should read at least once. For those who prefer to follow the five sisters on screen, Greta Gerwig’s film adaptation is the best choice. Young girls and women who are struggling with the pressure of finding themselves and are still being told that the only thing that counts is finding a partner are taught better by protagonist Jo March. Her dream of becoming an author is more important to her than any men who want to marry her. Imitation desired!
Photos: © picture alliance pa
Desperately Seeking Susan (Susan Seidelmann, 1985)
Madonna, who plays a leading role in this eighties classic, once described the film as a “murder mystery comedy romance”. In fact, the story is difficult to assign to just one genre. Numerous studios are said to have rejected Susan Seidelmann’s idea because only “women and gays” liked it. Yet these are target groups with good taste. Instead of being impressed by men, the protagonist Roberta is particularly taken with Susan. She would rather swap her boring housewife existence for their wild lifestyle.
Photos: © picture alliance pa
Orlando (Sally Potter, 1993)
It’s terrible how people rant and rave these days when it comes to trans people. Their existence is denied, misinformation is spread like wildfire and panic is stirred up where there doesn’t need to be any. A good thirty years ago, the subject was explored with interest and thought experiments – without any conspiracy theories or anti-gay rhetoric. “Orlando” is based on the novel of the same name by Virginia Woolf, published almost a century ago, in which the young nobleman Orlando suddenly wakes up as a woman. And lives on quite naturally as if nothing had happened. The story reflects gender roles in an unagitated and poetic way – a welcome change from current discussions on the subject.
Photos: © picture alliance pa
Some Like It Hot (Billy Wilder, 1959)
Can a fifties movie with Marilyn Monroe as the main cast be feminist? And how. Even though many things were terrible in the fifties, especially for women, this film by Billy Wilder shows that gender issues were generally dealt with very loosely. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon disguise themselves as women in their roles and – no questions asked – are also perceived as such. In this way, the comedy takes subtle jabs at gender roles.
Photos: © picture alliance pa
The Substance (Coralie Fargeat, 2024)
It is and remains a scandal that Demi Moore did not win an Oscar for this performance. To love this movie, you need a great fondness for satire and body horror. The fact that Demi Moore, as ageing Hollywood star Elizabeth, sacrifices everything just to be young and beautiful again half the time as Sue is a great reflection of our Botox society. Between deliberately exaggerated and obvious statements, there are always moments that poke at our own deeply buried emotional world and mercilessly bring contradictions to light. Anyone who actually sees themselves as a feminist and yet struggles with their own appearance will be humorously picked up and shaken awake by “The Substance”.
Photos: © Filmcoopi
Legally Blonde 1, 2 and 3 (Robert Luketic, Charles Herman-Wurmfeld, Jamie Suk, 2001, 2003, 2009)
What does it take to be considered a feminist classic? Sometimes nothing more than a comedy that highlights the simplest problem we have in our society: stereotyping and underestimating women at work. The blonde, always pink-clad, chihuaha-holding Elle Woods as a tough lawyer is a must-see, even 20 years after its release. Fortunately, there are three parts to this story, which of course doesn’t have to be taken completely seriously.
Photos: © picture alliance pa
His Girl Friday (Howard Hawks, 1940)
To this day, women are often nothing more than the love interest in films. Beautiful, desirable and also insanely one-dimensional. In 1940, Hildy Johnson, played by Rosalind Russell, stood out from this monotonous narrative style in “His Girl Friday”. She is divorced, ready for the next wedding, but not at all ready to be bossed around and embark on romantic adventures. Her true passion lies not in intimate kissing, but in her work as a reporter.
Photos: © picture alliance pa
The Virgin Suicides (Sofia Coppola, 1999)
Every film by Sofia Coppola belongs on this list, because she is the epitome of female-focused cinema. “The Virgin Suicides” takes the male gaze for a ride by taking it to the extreme. Dazzled by the beauty of the Lisbon daughters, the teenage boys don’t understand that the pretty sisters are troubled by dark feelings ranging from fear to insecurity to suicidal thoughts. If you need more desperate Coppola female characters in your life, you should definitely add “Priscilla” and “Marie Antoinette” to your watch list.
Photos: © picture alliance pa
Josie and the Pussycats (Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont, 2001)
Three young girls in the music business enjoying instant fame and success. What could possibly go wrong? The comedy is based on the Archie comic of the same name from the seventies. Initially frowned upon, it is now considered a classic. The recipe just works: three strong women who skillfully defend themselves against older men who do them wrong.
Photos: © picture alliance pa
You can read about the films we rang in spring with here.
If this list wasn’t long enough for you, there’s a book on the subject.
