Documentaries Exploring Feminism in Modern Society

Feminism has radically reshaped our culture, especially the ways we think about women and the roles they play in society. Several notable documentaries, many of them quite provocative, shine a piercing light into the heart of the feminist movement and reveal some of its contradictions, trials, and truly inspiring successes.

“The Naked Feminist”

Few issues have split the feminist movement as violently as that of pornography, members taking sides both for and against this enormously profitable yet controversial industry. This documentary film highlights the beliefs and lives of “sex positive” feminists working in pornography.

Participants in “The Naked Feminist” show us that the women engaged in this particular line of work find their performances empowering rather than, as some feminists assert, objectifying. In the process, the film asks some tough questions about the role of pornography and the women who star in it, including whether the industry objectifies women or allows them access to power.

“V-Day: Until the Violence Stops”

If you are concerned about the perpetration of violence against women throughout the world, then this inspirational movie could be for you. Highlighting the grassroots movement that brought awareness to this issue, “V-Day” is directed by Eve Ensler and features appearances from some of the most notable personalities in Hollywood, including Jane Fonda, Salma Hayek, and Rosario Dawson. Watching this documentary, we gain a powerful and inspiring insight into the struggles that women throughout the world face on a daily basis when combating abuse.

“Timbrels and Torahs”

This documentary highlights the efforts of a group of Jewish feminists to bring honor and dignity to the process of aging, in the process bringing together their passion for feminism with their religious identity. As we watch the film, we come to understand these strong women and their desire to move beyond the sidelines of their traditional culture into a celebration of their identity as women and as members of the Jewish community.

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