Women supporting women, is a very common phrase… and trending hashtag we see on Twitter. But have you ever wondered how to do that IRL? Sure, commenting and reposting your bestie’s selfie is a great way to raise others up, and sure shopping female-owned business is a must, but what if I told you there was a way you could be just as supportive with a click of a button?
It sounds simple, but watch a movie! I know it sounds simple but there are so many phenomenal documentaries directed by up-and-coming female directors, and films about women’s rights, that are sure to become your go-to recommendation for your friends. Not only will you be supporting female creatives, but you will also be able to learn about a cause you’re passionate about, and might even find a way to continuously get involved.
Whether you’re traveling to your spring break destination, procrastinating writing a term paper, or simply surfing through Netflix to find something good to watch, these are the must-see documentary films to watch this Women’s History Month, that will uplift and empower you to be a positive change — and remind you just how resilient us women truly are.
- Feminists: What Were They Thinking (Netflix)
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Starring Laurie Anderson, Phyllis Chesler, and Judy Chicago (among others), Feminists: What They Were Thinking follows an interview style where director Johana Demetrakas gets to know women of different ages and backgrounds and their views on the subject of feminism.
- I Am Greta (Hulu)
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I Am Greta follows teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, on her international crusade to raise awareness about the world’s environmental crisis.
- Period. End of Sentence. (Netflix)
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Directed by Rayka Zehtabchi, Period. End Of Sentence. is a documentary that follows a group of local women in Hapur, India as they learn how to operate a machine that makes low-cost biodegradable sanitary pads.
- Saudi Women’s Driving School (HBO)
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Driving was never something most of us ever had to think about, it was a part of growing up. But in Saudi Women’s Driving School, a documentary directed by Erica Gornall, we embrace the freedom and a new way of life for Saudi Women after being allowed to drive legally for the first time.
- She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry (Netflix)
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In the past decade, we have seen an uproar and a second wave of feminism in the United States. She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry is a film directed by Mary Dore that focuses on employment discrimination, affordable childcare, and reproductive health while also diving into issues such as homophobia, race, and class.
- Gloria: In Her Own Words (HBO)
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Gloria: In Her Own Words has been reviewed as a “vivid portrait” of Gloria Steinem whose career as a journalist and pivotal member of the feminist movement has left an indelible mark. Directed by Peter Kunhardt this isn’t one you’re going to want to miss.
- Miss Representation (Amazon Prime)
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Miss Representation unpacks the history of the media’s portrayals and treatment of women and proposes solutions on how it affects real-life women. In the digital age this isn’t one you’ll want to miss; directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom starring Geena Davis, Jane Fonda and Lisa Ling,
- Disclosure (Netflix)
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Directed by Sam Feder and starring Laverne Cox, Susan Stryker, Alexandra Billings, and many others, Disclosure is a documentary that does a deep dive into the depiction of transgender people in Hollywood and the impact their stories have had on American culture.
- City of Joy (Amazon Prime)
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If you want a movie that depicts the strength of a community, watch City Of Joy: A documentary that tells the stories of harrowing survivors of violence in a country that has been hailed the worst place in the world to live as a woman and uses SA as a weapon of war.
- He Named Me Malala (Amazon Prime)
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Inspired by the book I Am Malala and directed by Davis Guggenheim, this movie focuses on the events leading up to the Taliban’s attack on Malala Yousafzai for seeking out girls’ education and follows up on the aftermath. It promotes a message of standing up for what is right no matter the consequences.