I'm taking a class on representations of America in cinema. My professor seems to be trying very hard to make his film selections as inclusive as possible in terms of genre, as well as race, class, and even sexual orientation. Nonetheless, I noticed a dearth of films about or by women.
I wanted to speak up right away, but I realized- I don't really have any suggestions! I'm interested in film but by no means an expert. So, I thought I would ask the mighty feministing community- what are some great movies about or by or at least including women? For the class they need to also have something to say about "America", but I'm interested in any suggestions that there may be.
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You could try the Women and Hollywood blog: womenandhollywood.com. She has a lot to say about the topic.
I enjoyed Sunshine Cleaning recently, btw. Great movie.
Definitely checking that out, I'm sure it'll be a very valuable resource for the course. Thank you!
Female directors in any age have never been plentiful. That's what's so ironic to me about an industry which is quick to flaunt its liberal cred. That the first three major women in film I can think of are foreign ought to tell one something.
Here a few suggestions,
The recent film Julia & Julie is directed by Nora Ephron. Sofia Coppola directed The Virgin Suicides. I've always been a fan of Diary of a Mad Housewife starring Carrie Snodgress, but it's often difficult to find. In that same seventies era there is also Looking for Mr. Goodbar based on the original novel by Judith Rossner.
not to be a cheat, but i often use this wikipedia page for film suggestions when i am out of ideas:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Feminist_films
I love wiki. Definitely will be mining this resource for a while. Thank you :)
My first thought was Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, a movie about the first black actress in Hollywood.
Because I just watched it: Fast Times at Ridgemeont High. It's not perfectly feminist by any means, but it does have a female director who takes the female perspective where you usually don't have one (the girl reading the graffiti above her during sex). It's very 80's America.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch has a lot of fascinating insights about both gender and America!
I think we might actually be watching this one! I know it was mentioned.
Teeth
Some of my favorites:
Girlfight
Thirteen
But I'm A Cheerleader
What's Cooking?
Mississippi Masala
I like Contact. Jodie Foster's character is based on a real woman in SETI.
"Old" movies often had women as protagonists. Check out "Blond Venus" with Marlene Dietrich. It's a great film that interestingly highlights women's gender roles at the time. Other films made during WWII (often referred to as "women's films") would be good choices too. I'm happy to watch anything with Bette Davis!
A more recent films that I like is "Boys on the Side" (Whoopi Goldberg, Drew Barrymoore, Mary Louise Parker) puts an interesting spin on the "chick flick."
Iron Jawed Angels
North Country
Both very excellent movies that relate to what you mentioned!