The cinema has become not only a space for entertainment, but also a way to give voice to various social complaints. One of the most recurring themes, especially in recent times, is the role of women throughout history and the gender inequality that exists.

In this way, we can find a large number of films that address essential issues such as the wage gap, the gender violence or workplace bullying.

Some films that do a great job, and it is that both inside and outside of fiction it is important to have feminist referents to build a more just and egalitarian world.

Now, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, We review what are some of these movies that we can find for better understand the feminist struggle and the importance of continuing to claim a more egalitarian world in which women’s rights are defended.

women in search of freedom

One of the most discussed topics in the cinema is how women have had to fight to be able to leave behind the repression and be able to have their own independence to work, study or fall in love freely. An issue that is reflected in films such as the following:

1. Thelma & Louise (Ridley Scott, 1992): Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon or Brad Pitt, are some of the actors who are part of the cast of this film. The film tells the story of Thelma Dickinson, a housewife with an empty and nondescript life who is married to a detestable jerk who treats her like a child. For her part, Louise Sawyer works as a waitress in a coffee shop and dreams that her boyfriend Jimmy, who is a musician, will marry her. One weekend they decide to take a trip together in Louise’s car to get away from the deadly routine of their lives and all their frustrations. However, her escape ends up being an experience full of dramatic episodes. A movie that can Watch on Amazon Prime Video.

2. The day I became a woman (Marzieh Makhmalbaf, 2000): This film is structured in three episodes that tell the story of three women in different stages of their lives. On the one hand, a girl who begins to assume her role as a woman. On the other, a young woman who participates in a bicycle race against the wishes of her family. Finally, an old woman who wants to make up for years of repression.

3. Mona Lisa’s Smile (Mike Newell, 2003): Starring Julia Roberts, it tells the story of a professor who begins to teach at a university in England. Her goal is to get her students to take advantage of the opportunities they have and become emancipated. Through her teachings, she will try to end the tradition about the role imposed on women as housewives and mothers. If you want to see it, you can find on Netflix.

Movies that address abortion

Another very recurring theme in the world of cinema is that of abortion. Throughout history women have had many problems when it comes to terminate your pregnancy, having to resort to clandestine methods with which they put their lives at risk. A theme that has been reflected in various feature films.

4. Vera Drake’s Secret (2004): Vera Drake is a humble woman who lives with her husband and children. She is a cleaner, and her husband is a mechanic. They have no money, but they are a united family and they feel happy. Vera is completely dedicated to her family, but she has a secret: she helps young girls perform abortions, an illegal activity. A movie that is available on Amazon Prime Video.

5. 4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days (Cristian Mungiu, 2007): Set in Romania in 1987, under the iron communist regime of Ceaușescu. Otilia and Gabita are students and share a room in a residence. Gabita is pregnant, but she doesn’t want to have it. The girls agree to meet with a certain Mr. Bebe so that he can perform an illegal abortion in a hotel room. Available in Filmin.

6. The Sisters (Margarethe von Trotta, 1981): The daughters of a priest, Marianna and Julianne, dedicate their lives to fighting to change society, claiming, for example, the legality of abortion. A film that can be seen on Filmin.

7. The event (Audrey Diwan, 2021): Set in 1963, in France, it tells the story of Anne, a young woman with a promising future who sees how she can disappear when she becomes pregnant. The film tells the process that she has to face to try to end her pregnancy clandestinely.

women throughout history

8. Suffragettes (Sarah Gavron, 2015): The suffrage movement was born in England on the eve of the First World War. Most of the suffragettes did not come from the upper classes, but were working class women who watched helplessly as their peaceful protests were for nothing. Then they radicalized and, in their tireless fight for equality, they risked losing everything. this movie is Available on Amazon Prime and Filmin.

9. Hidden Figures (2016): This film tells the story of three African-American scientists, Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), who worked at the NASA space agency in the early 1960s in the ambitious project of putting astronaut John Glenn into orbit. Some women who had never been mentioned. This available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

10. A gender issue (Mimi Leder, 2018): Tells the story of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman in history to serve on this high judicial body. Ruth, along with her husband, attorney Martin Ginsburg, changed the course of history with a singular case on gender discrimination that paved the way for equality in the Courts. Available on Netflix.

11. Frida (2002): As its own title indicates, in this feature film they talk about the life of the famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, focusing on her stormy relationship with Diego Rivera, her career and her revolutionary nature. You can watch it on HBO Max.

Harassment and labor inequality

12. Yentl (Barbra Streisand, 1983): This film focuses on telling the story of a young Jewish woman named Yentl Mendel. Set in a town in Eastern Europe at the beginning of the 20th century, it tells how this woman, the daughter of a widowed rabbi, pretends to be a man to study at a school reserved for men. She is Available on Filmin and Amazon Prime Video.

13. In the land of men (2005). It tells the story of Luna, a single mother who is looking for a job in the iron mines to get ahead. From there, she tells of the great gender discrimination in a job dominated by men. Available on Amazon Prime Video.

14. Scandal (2019): Based on true events, it talks about the fall of one of the most powerful media empires in recent decades: Fox News. Specifically, it tells how a group of women managed to kill the person responsible, Roger Ailes, after recounting the workplace harassment they suffered. can you see her on HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video.

feminism in cartoons

In the world of cartoons we can also find some movies that talk about female empowerment and the equality that should exist between men and women. These are some examples of them:

fifteen. Mulan (Barry Cook and Tony Bancroft, 1998): Tells the story of a young woman who decides to impersonate a man in order to enlist in the imperial army instead of her sick father, because women were not allowed to do so because they had to prepare to get married. It is available on Disney+.

16.Brave (2012): Merida, daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor, is a skilled archer who decides to break with the tradition that forces her to marry. A film that talks about the independence of women and the relationship between a mother and her daughter. Available on Disney+.