5 Movies Involving Politics #DirectedByWomen
I started doing this categorized List of 5 movies thing where I showcase movies that were directed by women and that I have actually seen. It all started during the Directed By Women Worldwide Viewing Party in September, and it was pretty fun, so I've continued doing it from time to time.
It's a bit off-topic from my normal fare, ya know, being that it's not specifically about lady-gasms or anything like that, but I think it fits the blog because
1. this blog is also about indie movie-making, and
2. this blog is partially about getting the female perspective of sexuality into our media. So, to me, supporting female voices in our media means we're creating more room for female voices to speak on all types of things, which sometimes will be sex, orgasms, and sexuality. You can find all my 5-movie lists HERE.
So, since today is a very special day here in the U.S. - the day before we elect our 45th President, I decided to give you a LIST OF 5 MOVIES INVOLVING POLITICS. Some are from older lists. Some are ones I haven't posted yet, but all are directed by ladies. I, for one, am a mix of excited and nervous tonight, and if you are as well, then maybe one of these movies would serve you well. So, make sure your plant to vote tomorrow is air tight, get comfy, whip up some election eve snacks (red, white, and blue cupcakes, maybe?), and watch some politically themed movies to pass the time.
1 Weiner - This one is directed by Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg. This is about that wiley 'ol' NY congressman who got caught sending dick picks. This might be most related movie in this list to this particular election given that the recent FBI investigation into Weiner's sexting with an underage gal turned up some emails from Weiner's wife (seperated...of course) Huma Abedin...and since she's a top staffer for Hillary Clinton, the FBI kinda re-opened Clinton's email server case like 10 days out from the elections, and then went through the emails and 2 days before the election said something like - 'uh, well there's nothing problematic in those emails actually, sorry to get everyone all excited.' Point is,Weiner has actually played a part in this very presidential campaign. Also, this was actually a pretty interesting doc that I would recommend for sure.
2 Suffragette - This was directed by Sarah Gavron. I caught this in the theaters when it came out, and although this is British suffragettes not American ones, it's still political and damn relevant. The deal is that women all over the world worked their asses off, sacrificed all kinds of things and gave their lives to gain a say in their government. In fact, women all over the world are still doing that. So, if you're looking for some inspiration. This is a good one.
3 Selma - This was directed by Ava DuVernay. I saw this one in the theater too. This is a fabulous movie. If you haven't seen it, you should get to it. Like the movie above it's about people working their asses off, sacrificing all kinds of shit and even giving their lives for the rights they deserve. This one is American as hell though, but it's also universal because people all over the world have and are still having to do this work because the color of their skin. So,if you want more inspiration about how people can influence and use the political process for progress and betterment, and if you need a little perspective about how rough the path is to real sustained cultural and political change - this is a good movie to see.
4 She's Beautiful when She's Angry - This was directed by Mary Dore. I saw this on Netflix, but I learned about it from a local organization called Gal's Guide to the Galaxy, made up of bad ass ladies who put on a pretty sweet event focusing on women movie makers. Anyway, this is a doc about the birth of the women's liberation movement in the 60's and 70's. I loved seeing these women talk and see how far our politics and our culture have come. Also this, my friends, is the world ol' Hillary Clinton was stewed in as a young impressionable women, and having that kind of history in the White House is pretty exciting, am I right?
5 Billy Madison - This was directed by Tamra Davis. Now, yes, this is a comedy classic, but why did I add this to the 'movies about politics' list? Thanks for asking. It's because there is one brilliant clip from this movie that has been posted more than a few times over the past year as a response to some bat-shit crazy mumble jumble that has emerged from Donald J. Trumps mouth...and it's pretty perfect. Let's just call this a little cherry on the top of this political lady-made movie. Please do watch below. Enjoy.