Recently Netflix has been churning out great documentaries with feminist narrative that evoke women’s power, and also provide the exceptional cinematic enjoyment. If you want to rejoice in women empowerment, the journey, and learn how it impacts the world, here are five documentaries that you should be watching right now!
Feminists: What Were They Thinking?
What is it about:
This documentary focuses on second-wave feminism and takes us back to the raging 1960s and 70s. We see how women turned around their powerlessness and started to question their traditional roles. Back-alley abortions, abusive husbands, workplace harassment and many other forms of oppression that those women fought against, were highligted in this film. They realised that their lives meant more than being commodities to their husbands. There is a fascinating depiction of the impact of feminism to unite women of all races and to fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
Why I think you should watch it:
The documentary is inspirational and empowering. I admire how these powerful ladies talked about their lives and the pride in their eyes when they looked at their photographs. The film demonstrates that a woman's body is not something to satisfy others with, rather something to be proud of for oneself. “Feminists What Were They Thinking?” shows us where we've been, what we've done so far, and how far we still have to go.
REVERSING ROE
What is it about:
If you think women have the right over their own bodies in the USA, you’re wrong! “Reversing Roe” is the documentary that shows how abortion has turned into a political issue suppressing the fundamental right of a human being.
In its captivating 100 minutes, the documentary explores various aspects of abortion history in the United States. There are numerous accounts of deadly back-alley abortions, as well as video recordings of women risking their lives to oppose unconstitutional abortion legislation. With the revolutionary decision in Roe v Wade (1973), the US Supreme Court recognized that the constitutional right to privacy encompasses a woman’s decision to terminate her pregnancy. However, protests to overturn the legislation continue even today.
Why I think you should watch it:
I found it intriguing that the anti-choice movement does nothing to support pro-family measures like paid parental leave, universal healthcare, or equal pay for equal labor. It was alarming to see how so many people oppose women’s right to choose what to do with their own bodies. This documentary is a message to both men and women who keep mute when battling for the medical procedures that people require in their lives.
THIS IS PERSONAL
What is it about:
"This Is Personal” covers a wide territory of issues. It opens with Tamika Mallory, one of the four co-chairs of the Women’s March, on her way to Washington in January,2017. Throughout her career, Mallory has advocated for gun control and Black Lives Matter. While Erica Andiola, Chief Advocacy Officer of RAICES, has used her experience with undocumented immigrants to uplift oppressed groups, inspire movements, and to organize activists on the front lines of the struggle to bring justice to migrant workers.
In addition to capturing the birth of a movement, this documentary confronts the uncomfortable truth that being an inclusive modern-day feminist requires listening to underrepresented voices, reflecting on your personal definitions of feminism and activism, as well as organizing outside of the pink hat movement.
Why I think you should watch it:
“This Is Personal'' provides us an inside peek at the Women's March leadership's battle for intersectional action. It raises the following questions: how do race, religion, sexuality, and gender identity affect women differently, and how did this play out in the Women's March after the 2016 election?
KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE
What is it about:
An inspiring film about female revolutionaries, Knock Down the House, tells the story of four female rebels who take on the establishment. In their quest to oppose Democratic lawmakers in their districts, we follow Paula Jean Swearengin from West Virginia, Amy Vilela from Nevada, Cori Bush from Missouri and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York. It's clear that each of the four finalists has an interesting tale to tell.
Why I think you should watch it :
Knock Down the House is a fiery celebration of feminism, a bright example of what hard effort and determination can accomplish. I can’t imagine anyone not finding this movie inspiring. Ocasio-Cortez’s final interview, a childhood reminiscence of her late father on a road trip to Washington DC, is one of the most touching speeches about government I’ve ever seen.
ATHLETE A
What is it about:
This documentary lays out the shocking story of how Larry Nassar was finally arrested after at least two decades of molesting children and young women under his care as the doctor for the women's program of USA Gymnastics, the sport's national governing organization. While Athlete A depicts the events that led to Nassar's imprisonment, it also reveals the fraudulent structures put in place by USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic Committee that allowed Nassar to treat gymnasts for so long. It shows how bullying led to eating problems among elite female gymnastics performers. It demonstrates how frequently the line between tough instruction and abuse was crossed. Worst of all, it reveals how USAG opted to prioritize their pristine public image over the mental and physical well-being of its female athletes, the majority of whom were juveniles.
Why I think you should watch it:
“Athlete A” will make you wonder how men in power construct protective circles around themselves with such ease. Though the film spends a lot of time criticizing USAG's abusive practices, it also uses the opportunity to celebrate the women who have survived the organization. Those who continued to support Nassar even after his crimes and bullied the survivors into silence were uncovered. This is something that Athlete A condemns, and it's something that has to be denounced over and over again.
So these are the five documentaries on Netflix that I found very empowering as a woman and made me realize the true sense of Feminism. And if you have missed any of these, do make time to watch it ASAP!