In all honesty, there should probably be more than one International Women's Day a year--doesn't it seems odd that despite two whole millennia of civilization, around half of our population is glaringly underpaid and underrepresented when compared to the other half? Strong women are all around us, from mothers and friends who support us daily to the public figures who inspire us with their work. Sometimes, even fictional characters can be a source of strength and empowerment, but then again, that should come as no surprise to anyone who's ever enjoyed Jane Eyre.
It's maddening when television shows aren't realistic or relatable in their portrayals of women, but sometimes, either through stellar performances or sharp plot direction, the woman on screen really does become someone you can genuinely see as a sister to learn from. Here are some of the silver screen's strongest offerings right now:
Not many people are going to find joy in a dystopian series where women are seen as walking wombs but, for what it’s worth, the upcoming TV adaption of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is likely to be a masterpiece. With Elizabeth Moss starring as Offred, the stalwart, hopeful narrator yearning to escape her life in a time when women who can’t bear children are called Unwomen, the time is right for a story about fighting your way out of your worst nightmare. Too many women in different parts of the world still don’t have the privileges shared by those in developed, forward-thinking cities, and Offred’s tale could not be better timed to remind us that the fight is lightyears from being over.
