Women have consistently been active members of political and social conversations for generations. However, the unequal patriarchal system and the lack of visibility render these women unknown in the documentation of history. Even then, there have been some who have made a reappearance in popular discourse through films. We have compiled a list of eight biopics based on inspiring women in celebration of International Women’s Day 2023 on March 8.
Biopics Based on Inspiring Women
Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl
Following the story of one of the first few air force pilots of this country, this film chronicles her journey from the beginning right when she decided in her mind to become a pilot. Seeing her brother join the air force, she also takes an initiative in becoming an air force pilot. During the Kargil War, she takes the opportunity to evacuate her fellow soldiers on the field. Navigating a male-dominated field and a system exclusively catering to them, Gunjan Saxena moves past all these challenges. Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl is streaming on Netflix.
Hidden Figures
Before the moon landing, there were multiple attempts made by the United States to go to space. The intense calculations and math done behind them generally involved human calculators who were mostly Black women. However, their expertise lay beyond what was assigned to them. This story is about three of those women who contributed immensely to the space exploration process and became a linchpin for America’s win over the USSR in the Cold War. This film is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
On the Basis of Sex
Ruth Bader Ginsburg reached the pinnacle of the legal system by changing the law detailing the equality of the sexes and why it is important to change with the rising tide of the social and political landscape. After a tough couple of years doing her own and her husband’s college work, she is still not taken seriously until she decides to take a groundbreaking case that completely changed the precedent and the law that looked at gender. This film is currently streaming on SonyLIV.
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Saand ki Aankh
Following the sharpshooting duo, Chandro and Prakashi Tomar, this film tells their story of joining national championships and surpassing any expectations people had for them as inhabitants of a secluded and underdeveloped rural area. They accidentally discovered their talents in sharpshooting at the age of 60 and took the help of an instructor to build their skills and excel even in the face of oppressive misogyny. This film is currently streaming on Zee5.
Chhapaak
Following the acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal, this film tells her story dealing with the stigma around her image and beauty while also showing how she helped outlaw the open sale of acid. She also decided to fight against the perpetrators and the people who have shamed her to build a community of women who support and uplift each other against a crisis of this magnitude. This inspirational film is currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Till
Following the story of Emmett Till’s mother, Mamie Till-Bradley, this film follows her relentless crusade for justice against her 14-year-old son’s death caused by a violent lynching. She pleads with the court and even makes strong statements by sharing pictures of her son with the paper to show people just exactly how brutal the system is. In this film, his mother takes control of the narrative. Check out how by streaming the film on Amazon Prime Video.
Frida
This film tells the life story of the acclaimed feminist painter Frida Kahlo, widely known for her signature unibrow that truly changed public opinion about facial features. It explores the relationship between art, her and her husband. Salma Hayek stars as the protagonist in this film alongside Alfred Molina who plays her husband Diego. She is seen navigating a male-dominated space like painting and art, while also carving her own space in the industry. This biopic is currently available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.
Harriet
Following the story of the abolitionist Harriet Tubman, this film talks about her escape from the plantation and her attempts at freeing multiple slaves from an oppressive regime there to exploit and steal from their labour. Taking help from the outside and using all her contacts to make freedom possible, she leads them down an underground railroad network and is dubbed ‘Moses’ because of the nature of the escape route. This biopic is currently available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.
Which films are you most inspired to see this International Women’s Day? Let us know in the comments below.
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