The Power of Women in Two Drastically Different Movies
As a lifelong movie lover, I have to admit that many movies in the past couple of years have greatly disappointed. It doesn’t help that most of the movie theaters near me, including the historic Cineramadome, closed during the pandemic and never reopened (and I live in Los Angeles!). But near the end of the year I watched two movies that showcase the power of women, both in their stories and the filmmakers behind the stories, and, oh, how refreshing it is! Women surrounded by women both onscreen and off! Being smart and strong and thoughtful. Both movies revolve around the need for these women to survive, and how they find the will to do it, but in drastically different ways.
I used to wonder as a kid why men were always protecting women in movies, because if men really wanted to protect women, they would teach them how to defend themselves. Women should be able to fight for themselves. The Woman King is that story: the story of an all-female army based on the real all-female army of the Agojie tribe in West Africa. If you’ve ever wondered if women can be warriors, and not the fake superhero kind (sorry, Marvel fans), this movie shows you just how powerful women can be, mentally and physically.
Women Talking, on the other hand, is pretty much summed up by its title. It is a movie of women talking, and listening to each other, and helping each other, and arguing with each other, and coming together to protect themselves from the unbelievably awful actions of the men in their community. It too is, disturbingly, based on a true story of a Mennonite community in Bolivia that was fictionalized and made into a novel (and then the movie). And it is no less powerful than seeing the women of The Women King physically fight.
But equally important is knowing that both of these movies were directed by experienced, intelligent, strong women in their own right: Gina Prince-Bythewood for The Woman King and Sarah Polly for Women Talking. The film industry is finally changing. Women and women’s stories are finally getting the opportunities they deserve.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that two films from 2022 that I truly enjoyed were made by women. We have so many stories that haven’t been told yet, and the talent to tell them.
If you want to see women dominate the big screen (or you have to watch it on your small screen like me), check out these two movies, and . . .
Stay Curious.
A couple disclaimers: I am not a critic. I recommend what I like and talk about it. Also, I do not currently participate in any affiliate programs or get paid to recommend something on Featured Fridays. These are simply things that I enjoy and hope others will enjoy as well. Thanks for reading!