Female filmmakers have shaped entertainment since the silent film era. And though there are countless women making movies today, their history is one simultaneously filled with as much oppression as rich storytelling. So we’re making things easy by laying out 10 of the best and most iconic works from a wide swath of female auteurs who have been telling stories just as good as the boys.
Dance, Girl, Dance
Director Dorothy Arzner’s 1940 musical comedy follows the lives of a group of female dancers. One of them, Judy O’Brien (Maureen O’Hara) wants to be a ballet dancer while another, the brash Bubbles (Lucille Ball) wants to make some quick money by turning to the burlesque stage. At odds from the beginning, Bubbles and Judy’s animosity towards each other comes to a hand when they both fall for Jimmy Harris (Louis Hayward).
Why it’s great for classrooms and libraries: Arzner was one of the few female directors during the studio era in Hollywood, making her work vital to the history of filmmaking as well as the legacy of women directors. The feminist themes of the movie make it suited for gender studies classes. Arzner also being an openly gay woman makes the movie a vital piece of LGBTQ history and can be taught in queer film theory or gender identity classrooms. The movie’s romantic, breezy tone also makes it a fun movie for outdoor film screening series or other classic-film centric events.
Buy Dance, Girl, Dance on Blu-ray here.
Read our review of Dance, Girl, Dance here.
Cleo From 5 to 7
Cleo Victoire (Corinne Marchand), also known by her stage name Cleopatra, has recently seen her doctor for a stomach issue. At 18:30h she will find out if she has cancer. Told within a two-hour span of Cleo’s life, director Agnes Varda follows the singer as she goes about her day and interacts with different people. Through it all Cleo starts to wonder about her life, and what is going to happen if the test results are dire.
Why it’s great for classrooms and libraries: Cited as the “godmother of the French new wave” and an inspiration for the likes of Jean-Luc Godard, Varda is an integral figure in the creation of not only French New Wave but the audience's conception of French cinema in general. Those studying French history or film movements would benefit from watching this. The deep existential themes about appreciating life are hidden by a breezy, elegant narrative and high-schoolers studying French could see this as a valuable way into learning the language.
Stream Cleo From 5 to 7 on Criterion.
Read our review of Cleo From 5 to 7 here.
The Hurt Locker
Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to ever win an Oscar for Best Director with this heart pounding look at a group of elite soldiers tasked with disarming combat bombs in Iraq. The arrival of a new sergeant to the company threatens everything as he’s known for taking risks at the expense of others. With the city falling into chaos, the men of Bravo company must find a way to keep everything together and get out with their lives.
Why it’s great for classrooms and libraries: The film’s R-rating due to its language and realistic war imagery means older high school students and college students will see the most benefit from it. It holds value for government or history classes exploring the Iraq War or post-9/11 geopolitics, as well as those training for any type of military position. Bigelow’s Oscar win means this should be included in curated collections aimed at Oscar milestones. Those with an interest in filmmaking, particularly cinematography, will also find value considering the movie’s cinema verite style.
Stream The Hurt Locker on Tubi.
Buy The Hurt Locker on Blu-ray here.
Read our review of The Hurt Locker here.
Daughters of the Dust
Set in 1902, director Julie Dash looks at the lives of various Gullah women living on the sea islands off South Carolina and Georgia. Using a languid, non-linear style that evokes elements of magical realism, Dash showcases the world of Gullah culture and the women’s desire to hold onto those ways as the world changes around them.
Why it’s great for classrooms and libraries: As a Black female director, Dash’s film is beneficial for libraries promoting diverse filmmakers and Black history and can be read alongside her book of the same name. Those studying the Gullah culture, African folklore, or the islands of the South will find merit in the story elements. Those studying the religious elements of folklore or magic will also connect with the movie’s themes. The feminist community at the center of the movie makes it perfect for those looking into women-led communities or feminist history involving women of color. Screening series devoted to Black filmmakers or female filmmakers of color should also include this.
Stream Daughters of the Dust on Criterion.
Orlando
Loosely based on Virginia Woolf’s novel of the same name, Sally Potter’s adaptation is a time-jumping story of a nobleman named Orlando (Tilda Swinton) who is commanded by Queen Elizabeth I to stay forever young. Orlando does just that and moves through different facets of British history. As he does, he learns about love and life while changing partners and his own sex.
Why it’s great for classrooms and libraries: Tributes to book to movie adaptations would be inclined to use this. Though the movie is PG-13 it would be best aimed for those in high school or college where this is paired with Virginia Woolf’s original novel or other Woolf works or biographies. The character’s androgyny means it can be shown during LGBTQ-centric tributes like Pride Month.
Read our review of Orlando here.
Monsoon Wedding
Mira Nair’s comedy-drama focuses on how a wedding affects every member of one Indian family. Aditi Varma (Vasundhara Das) is set to marry Hemant (Parvin Dabas) in an arranged marriage. But Aditi is only marrying because her lover won’t divorce his wife. Against the background of this, the various other members of Aditi’s family struggle with their own personal and professional problems, any one of which could ruin the big day.
Why it’s great for classrooms and libraries: A charming blend of romance, comedy and drama, the movie’s standalone enjoyment is worth carrying on its own. The movie can also be utilized to showcase Indian filmmaking, contrasting it alongside Bollywood films. The storytelling can be used to look at Indian politics at this time, the history of arranged marriages, and Indian family dynamics. Shown alongside other Nair works like Salaam Bombay or Mississippi Masala can also be used to explore interracial relationships on screen.
Buy Monsoon Wedding on DVD here.
Read our review of Monsoon Wedding here.
The Virgin Suicides
An adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenides’s novel of the same name, Sofia Coppola's film follows the lives of the four Lisbon daughters. Starting with the suicide of the suicide of the youngest Lisbon, Cecilia (Hanna Hall), the movie explores the oppression the remaining sisters feel at the hands of their parents. Their lives become the entertainment for a group of teen boys, desperate to rescue the girls and, ultimately, come to understand them.
Why it’s great for classrooms and libraries: The movie’s stark depiction of suicide makes it aimed more at older high school students and above. Paired against the novel, the movie can be used to discuss America in the 1970s and women’s rights during the era. Books like Betty Friedan’s Feminine Mystique and others about second-wave feminism can be used alongside this in women’s studies classes. The movie is a must when honoring Coppola’s oeuvre, and can be placed alongside her other films to showcase 1990s indie filmmaking or shown alongside her father, Francis Ford Coppola’s work.
Stream The Virgin Suicides on Kanopy.
Buy The Virgin Suicides on Blu-ray here.
Read our review of The Virgin Suicides here.
Eve’s Bayou
Set in 1962 Louisiana, Eve’s Bayou tells the story of 10-year-old Eve Baptiste (Jurnee Smollett). One chaotic summer Eve witnesses something and recounts what she thinks happened. The story implicates her father, Louis (Samuel L. Jackson) in something horrible and from there a series of dark secrets is unleashed.
Why it’s great for classrooms and libraries: Kasi Lemons is a Black female filmmaker making it perfect viewing in collections devoted to directors of color. Though R-rated and aimed for older audiences (high school and above) it is a strong coming-of-age story that prioritizes a young Black female lead. It shows life in rural Louisiana, opening up discussion in classes regarding Black life at that time. English classes could also benefit for how it looks at multiple viewpoints in storytelling, as well as to show magical realism for writing purposes.
Buy Eve's Bayou on Blu-ray here.
Read our review of Eve's Bayou here.
My Brilliant Career
Sybylla Melvyn (Judy Davis) is a headstrong young woman who never plans to marry. This leads to consternation with her grandmother and aunt, who find Sybylla’s dream to have a career repugnant. As the girl tries to find out what she wants to do she finds herself drawn to handsome farmer Harry Beecham (Sam Neill) who makes her reconsider her life choices.
Why it’s great for classrooms and libraries: Director Gillian Armstrong’s Australian romantic drama is family friendly, though works best on middle schoolers and above. It can be paired with Miles Franklin's novel on which it's based. The themes of identity and trying to find one’s place are universal and Sybylla holds much in common with Jo March from Little Women. This would pair wonderfully with Louisa May Alcott’s novel, and the 1994 movie version Armstrong also directed.
Stream My Brilliant Career on Criterion.
Buy My Brilliant Career on DVD here.
Read our review of My Brilliant Career here.
Real Women Have Curves
Ana (America Ferrara) is a first generation Mexican-American growing up in East Los Angeles. When she’s offered a full scholarship to Columbia University, Ana jumps at it. But her parents, particularly her mother, believe Ana should go to work instead. Ana starts working in her sister’s sewing factory, torn between her own personal ambitions and her cultural heritage.
Why it’s great for classrooms and libraries: Real Women Have Curves is a foundational feature when discussing Latinx cinema and any library curation in that regard should carry it. It’s an incredibly poignant exploration of the challenges Latinas face, from body image issues to the oppression of the patriarchy. Its PG-13 rating and themes of self-confidence makes it a strong choice for middle-school classes and above.
Stream Real Women Have Curves on Max.
Buy Real Women Have Curves on DVD here.
Read our review of Real Women Have Curves here.
As you dive into these amazing films directed by women, remember that the cinematic world offers countless more perspectives from powerful female voices behind the camera. If you’re interested in exploring films that focus on women’s lives, experiences, and activism, check out our Women’s Studies film reviews for films that tackle important social issues and celebrate female strength.