By Athena Bellas
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Feminism Insha’allah: The Story of Arab Feminism, directed by Feriel Ben Mahmoud (2014).
Now streaming on Kanopy
Many accounts of feminist activist history focus on the Western context. In doing so, they neglect and erase the incredibly rich activist histories of other equally important regions. Mahmoud’s film shows that Arab feminism has been active for over one hundred years within the Middle East and North Africa, and that this region is home to many significant feminist pioneers. Blending together archival footage with contemporary interviews, this film is a great introduction to Arab feminist activism.
Feminism Insha’allah: The Story of Arab Feminism, directed by Feriel Ben Mahmoud (2014) (source: kanopy.com)
The Hunting Ground, directed by Kirby Dick (2015).
Now streaming on Stan, Kanopy and Beamafilm
In recent years, reports have exposed that a large number of college campuses in the U.S. fail to adequately investigate and respond to their students’ sexual assault disclosures. Dick’s film follows the stories of two students who filed complaints against their universities, after their reports of rape on campus were disturbingly mishandled and suppressed. The film exposes rape culture on college campuses, and the feminist activism that fights back against it.
The Illusionists, directed by Elena Rossi (2015).
Now streaming on Kanopy
This film investigates how the body is commodified within contemporary cultures across the world. With a focus on various beauty industries, advertising, film, art and fashion, Rossi finds that the common ideal is an impossible-to-attain, highly Westernised standard of beauty. The film reveals that the very impossibility of the ideal drives endless consumerism, turning the body into a project without end. Through interviews with experts, the film urges us to stop buying into the illusion.
Miss Representation, directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom (2011).
Now streaming on Netflix and Kanopy
This film is a great primer for anyone interested in representations of women and girls in mainstream media such as advertising, movies and television. It features interviews with female directors, sociologists and activists, uncovering a range of biases at the root of the under- and mis-representations of girls and women in the media.
Period. End of Sentence, directed by Rayka Zehtabchi (2019).
Now streaming on Netflix
This riveting and energetic short movie focuses on the personal and economic effects of menstrual taboos in India. Zehtabchi follows the story of people trying to abolish those taboos. This includes social activists and women who have recently begun making and selling affordable, biodegradable menstrual products. Period. End of Sentence won an Oscar in the category of Best Documentary (Short Subject).
Pink Saris, directed by Kim Longinotto (2010).
Now streaming on Kanopy
This film follows the extraordinary story of the Northern Indian Gulabi Gang and its founder, social activist Sampat Pal Devi. The gang members wear distinctive pink saris as they fight for the status and rights of abused women in the region, in often highly public and spectacular ways. These women are really charismatic documentary subjects who let us into their world of activism with passion and even humour.
Reversing Roe, directed by Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg (2018).
Now streaming on Netflix
Stern and Sundberg present a historical account of the landmark 1973 Roe vs Wade ruling, made by the U.S. Supreme Court, to protect pregnant peoples’ right to access safe and legal abortions. The film also includes interviews with people on both sides of the ongoing abortion ‘debate’ in American society, showing that the fight for reproductive rights is an ongoing struggle.
Surname Viet Given Name Nam, directed by Trinh T. Minh-ha (1989).
Now streaming on Kanopy
Trinh T. Minh-ha’s poetic documentary is a really powerful and beautiful representation of the experiences and status of Vietnamese and Vietnamese-American women since the Vietnam war. The film weaves together a range of artforms like dance and poetry, as well as archival footage and interviews, to give voice to this important inter-generational story.
Witches of Gambaga, directed by Yaba Badoe (2010).
Now streaming on Kanopy and Beamafilm
Badoe’s film about a community of ostracised women labelled as ‘witches’ in Northern Ghana offers an intimate portrait of exile. Chronicling the struggle of the one hundred women living in one of Northern Ghana’s camps as condemned ‘witches,’ the film also uncovers the power of community. These women and feminist activists are shown fighting valiantly for the rights of women in the region. As director Badoe writes: ‘[I was] determined…to use film as a way to challenge beliefs that demonise women.’