Articles about Films
9 Bob Note: ten short films showcasing new queer cinema
Selina Robertson reviews the queer shorts programme shown during this year's London Short Film Festival and finds all the mini-flicks passing her rigorous selection
Selina Robertson // 8 February 2012
The cultural narratives they are a-changin'?
An unpleasant incident with a fellow cinema-goer notwithstanding, Chrissy D left a screening of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo in high spirits and hopeful for a change of the tide in Hollywood's take on female leads in action movies
Chrissy D // 19 January 2012
Twilight: Breaking Dawn (Part One)
At pains to defend the latest chaotic and confused installment of The Twilight Saga, Mathilda Gregory reads it as a transgressive anti-fairytale about perils of femininity
Mathilda Gregory // 12 December 2011
The skin we live in: the mad, bad world of Pedro Almodóvar
Remaining spooked and preoccupied, Mhairi Guild still appreciates density and creativity of Almodovar's latest grotesque fairytale of not-only-gender identity, desire and power
Mhairi Guild // 30 November 2011
Beware the betrayal of women in politics
Taraneh Ghajar Jerven is disappointed with George Clooney's new film which renders women insignificant both on-screen and in politics
Taraneh Ghajar Jerven // 4 November 2011
Tyrannosaur
Finding Tyrannosaur an unremittingly upsetting film, Chloe George salutes its ability to avoid clichés in the portrayal of violence against women
Chloe George // 24 October 2011
She Monkeys
Hailing the coming-of-age story of adolescent sexuality and fierce competition between female equestrians, Ania Ostrowska has her heart set on the youngest of three heroines
Ania Ostrowska // 13 October 2011
I don't know how she does it
This Hollywood blockbuster's heroine is a high-flying finance executive, but Diane Shipley argues that women across classes and careers share parts of her predicament and can applaud her small victories over a lazy husband and an over-demanding boss
Diane Shipley // 2 October 2011
Heavenly Creatures
Revisiting the film she loved unconditionally as a teenager, Jess McCabe still finds its portrayal of two young perpetrators of a horrific crime highly compelling
Jess McCabe // 11 September 2011
Romcom roundup: the friends with benefits phenomenon
'Friends with benefits' is not such a novelty as a recent series of Hollywood films is trying to present it, says Evelyn Krampf, debunking the phenomenon as a mere plot device serving the usual goals of good ol' heterosexist romcom
Evelyn Krampf // 6 September 2011
Break my fall
For those who can appreciate an at times painful study of relationship falling apart set in contemporary Hackney, the latest Harry Potter will be no competitor for Kanchi Wichmann's Break My Fall, suggests Selina Robertson
Selina Robertson // 28 July 2011
'Because sex workers shouldn't have to be dead to be on film'
Ania Ostrowska reviews the first ever London Sex Worker Film Festival and argues that sex workers' rights are a feminist issue
Ania Ostrowska // 14 July 2011
Briseis in Troy and Stockholm syndrome
Far from being a feisty embodiment of female empowerment, Briseis in Wolfgang Petersen's Troy seems more of a victim in a Stockholm syndrome-type relationship. LucindaE traces how the ancient 'war prize' story has been transformed into a consensual romantic arrangement to please contemporary audiences
LucindaE // 29 June 2011
Categories: Films
Orgasm Inc
Mathilda Gregory reviews a documentary which examines efforts to solve women's sexual disfunction with a pill
Mathilda Gregory // 11 March 2011
Categories: Films
More to Mills and Boon than this
Guilty Pleasures chronicles three women's relationships with the saucy book production line that is Mills and Boon. But, asks Mathilda Gregory, why did the documentary makers misrepresent the publishing empire by means of one, unrepresentative, male writer?
Mathilda Gregory // 11 March 2011
Categories: Films
His & Hers
Interviews with 70 women tell the life story of white, Irish, heterosexual women, through their relationships with men. Katherine Wootton has more
Katherine Wootton // 3 March 2011
Categories: Films
Forget the Dude: this is a woman's story
In an age when girl avengers are preferred to adults, 14-year-old Mattie Ross evolves admirably from ferocious teen to formidable woman, says Taraneh Ghajar Jerven. But why bother creating a 3D character if she's omitted from the previews?
Taraneh Ghajar Jerven // 12 February 2011
Categories: Films
Burlesque: stripped of authenticity?
Director Steven Antin's attempts to differentiate between wholesome teasing and tawdry stripping have provoked objections from the neo-burlesque community. At stake: the definition of the art, the answer to the empowerment v. misogyny debate and whether or not anyone should see the film, says Taraneh Ghajar Jerven
Taraneh Ghajar Jerven // 6 January 2011
Categories: Films
Villa Amalia
Composer Ann Hidden discovers her partner cheating on her - uproots her life and moves to Italy. Villa Amalia is refreshingly free of homilies and simple explanations, but Gloria Dawson finds it too enigmatic
Gloria Dawson // 1 December 2010
Categories: Films
Eat Pray Love: consumerism is not empowerment
By selling her travel experience as a path to wellness, Elizabeth Gilbert's trip becomes part of the predatory self-help industry, marketed specifically toward women, argues Taraneh Ghajar Jerven
Taraneh Ghajar Jerven // 4 November 2010
Categories: Films
The Heretics
The Heretics charts the story of a feminist art magazine which grew out of the New York art scene in the 1970s. What was it like to work on Heresies? Where are these women today, and what has happened to their legacy? Review by Jess McCabe
Jess McCabe // 28 September 2010
Categories: Films
Awra Amba
Philippa Willitts reviews a documentary about this community in Northern Ethiopia, grounded in principles of equality between the sexes
Philippa Willitts // 30 August 2010
Categories: Films
Hannah Free
Hannah Free is not a great work of art, says CN Lester, but this love story makes some passionate and timely political points
CN Lester // 11 August 2010
Categories: Films
The real story of The Last Station
Many married women will identify with Helen Mirren's portrayal of Sofya, in a film set during the last months of Leo Tolstoy's life, argues Rosjke Hasseldine
Rosjke Hasseldine // 8 June 2010
Categories: Films
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
A film which flirts with issues such as body image, but models a disappointingly passive approach to relationships for teenage girls and reinforces stereotypes, argues Carina Schneider
Carina Schneider // 8 June 2010
Categories: Films
Body of Work
Gemma Sharpe reviews a retrospective of feminist video art
Gemma Sharpe // 20 July 2009
Categories: Films
Feminism and Peter Pan
JM Barrie's creation Peter Pan has an enduring popularity. Allison McCarthy digs into the sexist and racist history of the play and novel, and how this has been addressed in modern adaptations
Allison McCarthy // 19 April 2009
'Freedom always has a price'
Cazz Blase considers how Marjane Satrapi's autobiographical story of coming-of-age in Iran and Europe transfers to the big screen
Cazz Blase // 11 August 2008
Categories: Films
Sex and the City the movie: Having your (wedding) cake and eating it
The Sex and the City movie makes for a disappointing postscript to the more subversive TV series, argues Catherine Redfern
Catherine Redfern // 5 June 2008
Categories: Films
Haunted?
El Orfanato is a rare example of the 'horror' genre with a strong female lead. Or is it? Lindsey M Sheehan has more
Lindsey M Sheehan // 5 June 2008
Categories: Films
Lust, Caution
Only a cog in the wheel? Joanna Tocher reviews a thought-provoking film about one woman's role in the Chinese resistance
Joanna Tocher // 9 February 2008
Categories: Films
Is Tarantino really feminist?
Tarantino's latest film, Death Proof, is exploitative not empowering, argues Emma Wood
Emma Wood // 10 November 2007
Categories: Films
Perfume: the Story of a Murderer
The film adaptation of Patrick Süskind's novel Perfume is a stunning indictment of society's attitude towards women, argues Leanne Bibby
Leanne Bibby // 31 October 2007
Categories: Films
300 Spartans and one strong broad
Sword-and-sandles epic 300 is a bit Spartan when it comes to dishing out historical accuracy, but Rosamund Urwin finds plenty to admire in this latest adaptation of a Frank Miller graphic novel
Rosamund Urwin // 2 May 2007
Categories: Films
The Pursuit of Happyness
Will Smith's latest film has gained him plaudits and nominations for his role as a single parent. But Dwysan Edwards says we shouldn't forget that thousands of mothers go through the same experiences every day.
Dwysan Edwards // 1 February 2007
Categories: Films
X-Men: The Last Stand
Shelley Rees argues that the final film in the X-Men trilogy is a galling disappointment, involving a systematic disempowerment of all the strong female characters.
Shelley Rees // 13 August 2006
Categories: Films
Munich
Maria Seijo-Richart examines how Steven Spielberg's Munich repeats trends first identified by feminists in the 1970s; that sexually active female characters who deviate from traditional female roles must be punished.
Maria Seijo-Richart // 29 May 2006
Categories: Films
North Country
Jess McCabe reviews North Country, a film with a feminist plotline based on a true story about a woman who brings sexual harassment charges against her workplace; the first of its kind in the U.S.
Jess McCabe // 3 March 2006
Categories: Films
The Descent
An all female cast of adventurers take on the traditionally male role of explorer, with terrifying consequences. Jess McCabe weighs up the pros and cons of this unusual horror film.
Jess McCabe // 5 November 2005
Categories: Films
Sin City
Why did Laura Woodhouse walk out half an hour before the end of this film? As she explains, this so-called "coolest film of the year" brings comic characters to life, but ironically leaves the female characters one-dimensional.
Laura Woodhouse // 18 June 2005
Categories: Films
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
A bottom the size of two bowling balls? Yeah, right. Rachel Bell argues that the casting of Renee Zellweger undermines the premise of the Bridget Jones character.
Rachel Bell // 15 January 2005
Categories: Films
The Incredibles
What messages and assumptions underly this animated movie? Ms Razorblade analyses the "family values", the conformity, the female characters and the incredibly cliched stereotypes. (Yeah, we know it's a cartoon. And?)
Ms Razorblade // 11 January 2005
Categories: Films
King Arthur
Ellery looks at the summer blockbuster King Arthur.
Ellery // 5 November 2004
Categories: Films
Troy
How does this gung-ho Hollywood film tackle questions of war, feminity and masculinity? Cazz Blase reports. Directed by Wolfgang Peterson (2004).
Cazz Blase // 20 July 2004
Categories: Films
The Stepford Wives
The re-make of The Stepford Wives is less feminist than the original, and misses an opportunity to make an interesting statement about contemporary gender relations, says Natasha Forrest. Directed by Frank Oz (2004).
Natasha Forrest // 20 July 2004
Categories: Films
Osama (review 1)
Barmak's loosely fact-based story of a family of women forced to invert the Taliban's strict gender order is a stark reminder that some feminists are more equal than others. Tamlyn Monson reviews Osama.
Tamlyn Monson // 16 March 2004
Categories: Films
Osama (review 2)
Barmak's loosely fact-based story of a family of women forced to invert the Taliban's strict gender order is a stark reminder that some feminists are more equal than others. Laura Wirtz offers her view on Osama.
Laura Wirtz // 16 March 2004
Categories: Films
Kill Bill
Tarantino describes Kill Bill as a "feminist statement" which is "all about girl power". But is it really? Aideen Johnston comments.
Aideen Johnston // 19 November 2003
Categories: Films
Holy Trinity - female characters in The Matrix: Reloaded
Anna Sandfield examines how The Matrix: Reloaded presents its female characters.
Anna Sandfield // 16 June 2003
Categories: Films
Lilya 4-Ever
Lindsay and Francesca Levy discuss the harrowing Lilya-4-Ever, directed by Lukas Moodysson.
Lindsay and Francesca Levy // 16 June 2003
Categories: Films
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Katherine Lubar finds fault with this drag-queen comedy.
Katherine Lubar // 16 June 2003
Categories: Films
The Hours
Anna Fioravanti isn't sure that 'The Hours' deserves to be considered one of the best films of the year.
Anna Fioravanti // 16 April 2003
Categories: Films
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Hiiy- Ya! Chinese Protofeminism kicks Ass, says Janet Evans
Janet Evans // 16 October 2001
Categories: Films
