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Women have fought hard for the rights we have, but not all of us grew up being aware of the struggles and sacrifices made for us to get here.
As an adult, I try to familiarize myself with the stories of those before me, but with that comes the harsh realization that our work is far from done.
To fight for gender equality, it’s vital to understand the events that shaped society and the injustices women still face today. Films are one of the ways we can do that, so I compiled a list of the 15 best feminist documentaries.
1. “It’s a Girl: The Three Deadliest Words in the World”
This documentary explores female infanticide in India and China. Millions of girls have been killed, abandoned, or selectively aborted due to their gender. It’s A Girl: The Three Deadliest Words in the World discusses the consequences of living in a culture that doesn’t value women.
2. “Advanced Style”
A vibrant and uplifting film, “Advanced Style” follows the lives of seven New Yorkers (aged 62 to 95) as they challenge the conventional ideas of aging and beauty. It is a must-watch for anyone who struggles with body image and self-confidence in a world obsessed with youth.
3. “Reversing Roe”
Through interviews with experts and politicians on both sides of the debate, “Reversing Roe” explores the state of abortion in the United States. It provides a historical look at one of the most controversial women’s rights issues and the decades-long political campaign to overturn Roe v. Wade.
4. “The Invisible War”
The Invisible War is a powerful, yet heart-wrenching exposé on the longstanding epidemic of sexual abuse within the United States military and its failure to protect the victims. In this investigative documentary, rape survivors recount their assaults and discuss the repercussions it has had on their lives.
5. “The Business of Being Born”
A must-watch for anyone interested in experiencing childbirth, “The Business of Being Born” explores the American maternity care system while discussing how other countries approach birth. Through interviews with parents and medical experts, this film delves into the different methods of delivery and how mothers are guided through the process, namely with midwives.
6. “Mercury 13″
“Mercury 13” is an unfortunate example of how sexism has punished women simply for being women. In 1961, a group of highly trained female pilots was cast aside when only men were selected for spaceflight. This documentary gives these women a chance to tell their stories.
7. “A Secret Love”
“A Secret Love” chronicles the love story between a former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player Terry Donahue, and her partner, Pat Henschel. The two fell in love in 1947 but kept their relationship a secret for nearly seven decades. This film follows their bumpy journey of coming out to their friends and family.
8. “She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry”
“She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry” shines a light on the women at the forefront of the modern women’s liberation movement between 1966 and 1971. What seals the deal with this film is its honesty, openly discussing the controversies within the movement, namely its race and homophobia issues.
9. “Feminists: What Were They Thinking?”
In 1977, photographer Cynthia MacAdams released a book of photographs capturing a feminist awakening. “Feminists: What Were They Thinking?” catches up with these women as they discuss various women’s rights issues and highlight the importance of continued change.
10. “Period. End of Sentence.”
“Period. End of Sentence.” is an inspirational short film about Indian women fighting the deeply rooted stigma around menstruation. After a sanitary pad machine is installed in their rural village outside Delhi, these forward-thinking women learn to make and sell their own pads.
11. “Dark Girls”
Shining a light on a topic that is considered taboo even among people of color, “Dark Girls” explores colorism outside and within the African-American community. It includes interviews with several Black women, including Viola Davis, about the prejudices darker-skinned women face.
12. “Seeing Allred”
Women’s rights attorney Gloria Allred has taken on some of the most high-profile sexual assault cases surrounding American politicians and businessmen. “Seeing Allred” explores the ferocious feminist’s personal and professional life while focusing on two of her biggest opponents yet—Bill Cosby and Donald Trump.
13. “The Hunting Ground”
“The Hunting Ground” is a shocking exposé of sexual assaults on United States campuses and the failure of college administrations to deal with these crimes. Students share their sexual assault stories and discuss the hurdles they have faced while trying to bring their abusers to justice.
14. “RBG”
“RBG” explores the remarkable life and career of the late United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. A pop culture icon, this revealing film explores how her progressive legal work has helped the fight for women’s rights.
15. “Half the Sky”
Six celebrity activists—America Ferrera, Diane Lane, Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan, Gabrielle Union, and Olivia Wilde—travel to different countries to witness first-hand the struggles women face. “Half the Sky” tells the stories of women who have been victims of gender-based violence while discussing possible solutions.
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