Must-Watch Films for Women's History Month: Stories of Resilience, Empowerment, and Untold Struggles
Films have long served as mirrors reflecting the complexities of the human experience, and this month serves as a reminder for all the stories and contributions of women throughout history. So, this Women’s History Month, we turn to films that elevate often overlooked voices, offering a raw and unfiltered look at the realities women have, and continue to face.
Ida (2013)
Ida, directed by Pawel Pawlikowski, is a stunning black-and-white film set in 1960s Poland that follows a young Catholic orphan named Anna, who is about to take her vows as a nun but then upon learning of her Jewish heritage, goes on a journey of identity, religion, and personal freedom. What makes Ida so powerful is its quiet yet profound exploration of Ida’s experience, where her struggles unfold in the serene, minimalist style of Polish cinema.
When it comes to Women’s History Month, this Oscar-winner is essential viewing because it provides a complex portrayal of a woman navigating post-war Europe while making her own choices. The film's visual storytelling and sparse dialogue allow for a unique narrative where silence speaks volumes. If you’re new to European cinema, Ida also offers an opportunity to celebrate the nuanced ways that stories are told in different cultural contexts.
The Six Triple Eight (2024)
The Six Triple Eight tells the true story of the only all-Black female battalion in World War II. Known as the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, who were tasked with delivering backlogged mail to soldiers on the frontlines. Despite discrimination and war-torn conditions, they sorted over seventeen million pieces of mail ahead of schedule, and in doing so tremendously aided the war effort in an underappreciated role.
Directed by Tyler Perry, The Six Triple Eight showcases the resilience and bravery of these women, who overcame racism, sexism, and adversity to fulfill their mission. The film serves as a reminder of the contributions of Black women in history that often fall on blind eyes, and how they played crucial roles in shaping our world.
Elle (2016)
Elle is directed by Paul Verhoeven and stars Isabelle Huppert. It explores the psychological complexities of a woman who suffers a traumatic assault but refuses to be a victim. Led by a usual outstanding performance by Huppert as Michèle, a woman who confronts her rapist and seeks her own form of justice, is bold, provocative and unapologetic in its challenging of the boundaries of conventional narratives surrounding women and trauma.
Elle’s exploration of power, control, and revenge pushes the boundaries of typical female character tropes, with Michèle taking charge of her own narrative. Leslie Felperin of The Hollywood Reporter called it “one of the bravest, most honest and inspiring examinations of the subject ever put onscreen.” Elle challenges the norm and in doing so, sparks important conversations about gender and violence.
Bread and Roses (2023)
Directed by Sahra Mani following her well-received 2018 documentary effort A Thousand Girls Like Me, Bread and Roses charts the rise of the Taliban through the eyes of a group of Afghan female activists as they fight to retain their basic rights. They were banned from working, girls’ schools closed and using phone cameras and stealth, Sharifa, Zahra and Taranom risk their lives to capture their extreme realities using guerilla filmmaking.
Produced by Jennifer Lawrence’s company Excellent Cadaver as well as activist Malala Yousafsai, the title is a reference to something that the protesters would chant- "Naan, Kar, Azaadi" (Bread, Work, Freedom), which itself is a reference to the phrase "bread for all, and roses too" from the early women's suffrage movement in the United States. Bread and Roses offers an intimate, angry and heart-wrenching look at the daily struggles Afghan women face of oppression under a dictatorship that is both political and personal.
Roma (2018)
Roma, directed by Alfonso Cuarón, is a visually striking and emotionally powerful film that follows the life of Cleo, a domestic worker in 1970s Mexico City, as she navigates personal and societal struggles. Through the eyes of Cleo, played by Yalitza Aparicio, Roma is a meditation on class, gender, and motherhood. The film’s intimate portrayal of Cleo’s life, presented in stunning black and white, is a love letter to the women who shaped Cleo’s, and our world. Roma highlights women from different walks of life, especially those in lower social-economic classes, offering a unique perspective on life’s experiences.
Roma elevates the voices of women who often go unnoticed. Cleo’s story is universal, but it also speaks to a more specific group of people and the challenges they face. The film’s focus on her journey through the complexities of her relationship with the family she works for feels authentic, allowing for closeness and intimacy in storytelling. Roma is a cinematic masterpiece that tied with The Favourite in 2019 as the most Oscar-nominated movie that year. It showcases the quiet moments in life and the strength of women, making it a perfect pick for reflecting on women’s contributions, sacrifices, and victories. Plus, Roma will stay on your mind and leave you thinking long after the credits roll.
Directed by Sarah Polley and based on Miriam Toews’ novel of the same name which itself is inspired by the gas-facilitated rapes of the patriarchal religious Manitoba Colony in Bolivia between 2005. Naturally exploring the themes of faith, justice, and collective decision-making in harrowing situations. What sets this film apart from others like it is the fact that its central event is not seen on screen, and is assumed to have already happened, therefore its title is quite literal. It deals with the aftermath, the women’s reflections, and how they should deal with it all.
The Oscar nominee features an ensemble cast that includes Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley and Frances McDormand, and Women Talking is an important work in the conversation about sexual violence and women’s rights, asking profound questions about the price of silence and the power of speaking out, and challenging us to consider what happened to the real women, and what continues to happen to others like them.
These films dive deep into the personal and societal battles women endure—stories not defined by triumph alone, but by persistence, resilience, and resistance. They highlight significant struggles and while progress has been made, there remains much more to be made.
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