hoolah | 5 Empowering Feminist Films To Watch This Weekend To Celebrate International Women’s Day

This weekend, we celebrate International Women’s Day. At a time when women are doing so much more (and often better than their other half), we aren’t just acknowledging women and celebrating their accomplishments. We are also celebrating the hidden potential of what they can, but have yet to achieve.

This year’s theme, according to the official website, is #EachforEqual, and we at hoolah ask ourselves how can we better create a gender equal world. For starters, we have decided to feature three female trailblazers from our very existing pool of merchants — Genevie Yeo (Gen.K Jewelry), Trixie Khong (By Invite Only), and Sophia Chen (The Sophia Label) — who each sheds light on their journey as a #bosslady of the 21st century.

What’s left? A watch party with your girl pals with a list of films with powerful female protagonists that we all want to emulate in reality. This is by no way a definitive list, but this is definitely a good place to start!

Here are five empowering feminist films that put women up front and center. Happy International Women’s Day!

1. Devil Wears Prada (2006)

When a fresh graduate (Anne Hathaway) lands a job as an assistant to Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep), the editor-in-chief of a popular fashion magazine, has she got what it takes to survive Miranda’s relentless demands?

“I said to myself, go ahead. Take a chance. Hire the smart, fat girl.”

2. Ocean’s Eight (2018)

When released from prison, Debbie (Sandra Bullock), sister of legendary conman Danny Ocean, gets back into the business of conning, although this time she puts together a team (a stellar cast of female star, no doubt) to rob the Met Gala.

“How long did it take you to figure all this out?”
“Five years, eight months, and twelve days. Give or take.”

3. Legally Blonde (2001)

This American comedy is a classic. It’s simply satisfying seeing the ever sassy Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) overcoming all her obstacles while achieving several career milestones despite being disparaged.

“You got into Harvard?”
“What like it’s hard?”

4. Little Women (2019)

There has been much controversy on this one. Having failed to take away any awards from the Academy Awards (and it should!), Little Women is a tale of sisterhood that tips hats to the past, and yet still runs on contemporary energy.

“Just because my dreams are different than yours, it doesn’t mean they’re unimportant.”

5. Suffragette (2015)

Based on real events, Suffragette features a stellar cast — including Meryl Streep, Helena Boham Carter, Carey Mulligan and more — and sheds light on the struggle women faced in the early 20th-century. Nothing quite beats understanding how the courageous women of the era spearheaded a movement that would change everything from a woman’s working life to her voting rights.

“We break windows, burn things, because war is the only thing men listen to.”

6. (BONUS*) Thelma & Louise (1991)

Ah yes, the movie that started Brad Pitt’s career, Thelma & Louise is a film that echoes everything about womanly camaraderie when sh*ts hit the fan. Follow the adventure of docile housewife Thelma (Geena Davis) and her waitress-pal Louise (Susan Sarandon) as they embark on an unassuming fishing trip that slowly unravels into an escape, following the murder of “rapist”.

(Arguably, the film has also been touted to feature the FIRST own screen selfie. Talk about revolutionary!)

“I swear three days ago neither one of us would’ve ever pulled a stunt like this, but if you’d ever meet my husband you’d understand why.”

In light of International Women’s Day, we tip hats to the every day women who are narrating their own chapter of female inclusivity and empowerment in their own lives and in the 21st century.

Here’s wishing all ladies a Happy International Women’s Day!