What do we definitely need a lot more of? Our author finds films with strong women in the lead role and reveals her small favorite selection of big stories to you.
1. Mulan
Mulan used to fall out of line as a Disney princess. Finally a character where not everything revolves around finding the prince in the end. Mulan has a mind of her own and secretly goes to war to save her old father from going himself. A real rebel among the cartoon characters. By the way, Mulan in the real-life version (2020) not only puts a shovel on it in terms of action, but above all in terms of empowerment. More of that, Disney!
The Popess
"I am independent, free to act and think. I want to live in a way that no woman can dream of". Strong words from a woman who was born in 814. It was always clear to Johanna that God had planned something else for her. She enters the Benedictine monastery disguised as a man under the name Johannes. She became a doctor, went to Rome and rose steadily in the ecclesiastical hierarchy. The film is definitely not for the faint of heart. Will she be up?
4. Naturally blonde
Fancy a comedy with a laugh and a strong message? Hollywood star Reese Witherspoon plays a full-blooded fashonista who studies law at the elite Harvard University to prove to everyone that she can do more than just wear pink clothes and look pretty. One thing is certain: Anyone who thinks in drawers and judges women according to their appearance will quickly be taught better.
4. Hidden Figures
A story based on real events – and for that reason alone absolutely admirable and inspiring. The three African American mathematicians, who are instrumental in advancing NASA's work in the race against the Soviet Union, have (despite their achievements) anything but easy at work. They are discriminated against – on three levels: skin color, gender and their scientific area of "mathematics". Nevertheless, they fought for their careers.
5th million dollar baby
At 31, Maggie dreams of a career as a professional boxer. The problem: She is actually too old to enter this professional sport and nobody in her environment really believes in her. But she doesn't let that stop her and fights for her dream. Strong woman (and not just because of her muscles).