Article written by Jen Cassamajor.
As part of a company founded by two women, we never get tired of hearing the true stories of inspiring women that made history, and one of our favorite ways to learn about them is cinema. Journalists, activists or even superstars, the women depicted in the movies we’ve selected all left a mark on the world. And for those who had planned a chill weekend at home, we’ve got your back : our list includes movies both in theaters and available on streaming platforms.
She Said
For several months, the name Harvey Winstein was all over the news. But do the names Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey sound familiar to you ? They were the two journalists who carried out the New York Times investigation that exposed the film producer’s history of abuse and sexual misconduct against women. She Said stars the brilliant Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman, The Great Gatsby) and Zoe Kazan (What If, Ruby Sparks) as the two protagonists, showing their sensitive work to get the victims to testify. With this great movie, its director Maria Schrader finally gives voice to the victims instead of their abuser.
She Said directed by Maria Schrader, starring Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan - in theaters.
Annie Colère
This French movie takes us back to 1974. The story follows Annie, mother of two, who after getting pregnant by accident meets the MLAC - the movement for the liberation of abortion and contraception - to abort illegally. With this drama, the director Blandine Lenoir does not pay a tribute to a specific woman (Annie Colère is a fictional character) but to the organization and its help to women until the passing of the abortion law in France in 1975. The face of the main character looks familiar to you ? Annie Colère is played by Laure Calamy, one of our favorite French actresses since her unforgettable performance in the TV show Call My Agent.
Annie Colère directed by Blandine Lenoir, starring Laure Calamy, Zita Hanrot, India Hair and Rosemary Standley - in theaters.
Harriet
This eponymous movie released in 2019 tells the story of a force of nature : Harriet Tubman, a former slave who, after escaping her owners in 1849, helped more than a hundred other slaves to run from the South of America. This unrecognized hero is played by the great Cynthia Erivo (Widows, Bad Times at the El Royale) supported by the amazing Leslie Odom Jr. (One Night In Miami, Glass Onion) and Janelle Monáe (Hidden Figures, Antebellum). An amazing demonstration of courage that will leave you speechless.
Harriet directed by Kasi Lemmons, starring Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr. and Janelle Monáe - available on Netflix.
Blonde
Some might argue that we've seen enough biopics about the legendary yet enigmatic Marilyn Monroe. But this movie is actually at a crossroads between fiction and reality as it is based on the best-seller written by Joyce Carol Oates. The director Andrew Dominik invites us to explore the distance between the shy and tormented Norma Jeane and the Hollywood sex symbol Marilyn, all through the performance of a metamorphosed Ana de Armas (Knives Out, No Time To Die).
Blonde directed by Andrew Dominik, starring Ana de Armas - available on Netflix.
Jackie
We don’t know where to start : the original form the movie takes - an interview of Jackie Kennedy by a journalist - or maybe the costumes and the amazing colors or simply the incredible Natalie Portman (Black Swan, Thor) who seems to be able to do everything. With this quite fictionalised yet very inspiring biopic released in 2016, Pablo Larraín, who more recently directed the beautiful Spencer, depicts what could have been the days following the assassination of John F. Kennedy for Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, the First Lady. How to deal with the trauma while honoring the man and the president her husband was ?
Jackie directed by Pablo Larraín, starring Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard and Greta Gerwig - available on Prime Video.
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