A Short List Of Not-Niche Female Films

Part III of Women in Film

by Samantha Ladwig

 

There are plenty of films available to us that promote women’s talent in the film industry beneath the much-advertised male dominated productions. Some of them are classic B-rated movies, and other movies are critically acclaimed among film communities. Here’s a list of films that broaden our perspective on what women can achieve in the film industry, either behind or in front of the camera.

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“Ghosts of Mars“

Does this movie have a 21 percent on Rotten Tomatoes? Yes. But is this movie directed by John Carpenter? Does it include Ice Cube, and have a leading female badass? It does. In this science fiction horror film, Lieutenant Melanie Ballard (Natasha Henstridge) leads a Martian Police Team to rescue the human colonist population that has been attacked by a mysterious virus turning them into ghosts. Cheesy lines direct the cast from one scene to the next. Along with the majority of the team being made up of women, age is also a barrier that doesn’t interfere with this film as seen through Joanna Cassidy’s character, Whitlock. Essentially, if you enjoy cheesy science fiction movies, this movie meets the requirements and breaks traditional notions that science fiction is a male-dominated genre.

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“Three Colors” Trilogy

For foreign film lovers, Krzysztof Kieslowski’s trilogy “Blue,” “White,” and “Red” (the colors of the French flag) tells the stories of women finding themselves without the comfort of men. Specifically emphasizing “Blue” and “Red,” these women find out who they are through tragedies and wrong doings of others. There lives are not based on men, nor are their conversations consumed with the topic of men and love. Kieslowski’s films are based off of the French Revolution ideals that are liberty, equality, and fraternity. It’s wonderful to see a male director utilizing the talent of women to represent governmental ideals.

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The “Before” Trilogy

A little more known compared to the first few movies stated, the “Before” Trilogy follows the life of a couple who have randomly met on a train to Vienna. Each spanning about ten years apart, the movie watches their relationship blossom and reach a stage of turmoil as every relationship does. The difference between these relationship movies compared to other romantically driven films is that the couple doesn’t drop their ambitions to be together, they each promote their own individuality while promoting one another. It supports the idea that a woman deserves more than a husband and children. We have just as many ideas and just as much ambition. Also, Julie Delpy (the actress in the movie as well as an actress in Kieslowski’s “White”) was a screenwriter for each of the films. The screenwriting process was a collaboration between the director, Ethan Hawke (the male actor), and Delpy who is a known feminist. Both the second and the third movie were nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Academy Awards.

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“Sunset Boulevard”

Hands down, best performance by a woman of all time and one of the best contributions to the world of film thanks to Billy Wilder. Nominated for eleven Academy Awards in 1950, the movie involves a man’s pursuit to become a screenwriter. He ends up living under the house of a mentally unstable Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), a former silent film actress looking for a return to the screen in a sound world. The movie sheds light on the history of film between the silent and sound eras by including silent filmmakers like Buster Keaton and Cecile B. Demille. If you enjoyed watching Cate Blanchett in “Blue Jasmine,” you will definitely enjoy the 1950s version of a mentally unstable woman in “Sunset Boulevard.”

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“Whip It”

Directed by Drew Barrymore, the movie follows Ellen Page’s character as she finds herself outside of a small town in Texas, away from pageants and popular kids. Roller derby becomes her nontraditional escape, talent, and passion, which is the opposite of what her parents want her to do. What’s so great about this movie is that although there is a love interest, it’s just a small portion of the movie’s narrative. The lesson learned from her guy friend is that relationships are painful, and they’re probably not going to work out in high school, but that doesn’t have to result in dropping everything around you. Find what makes you happy, and get the support of family and friends.

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These are all different types of movies, but all involve women behind the scenes and in front of the camera taking action in pursuing their dreams and proving that women can play different, intriguing roles. Look these movies up on Netflix, Hulu, or check them out from your local or university libraries. And if any of you have suggestions please leave them in the comments section!

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About Samantha

I spend my days surrounded by film archives through my job at the University of Washington and my graduate program at Western Washington University. I make it a priority to watch a movie at least every other day despite exhaustion. Outside of the archives and film, I enjoy comic books, baking, writing, walking, conversing, The Twilight Zone, my significant other, and of course breakfast.