9to5: The Story of A Movement

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9to5: The Story of A Movement

2020

1h 29m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

100%

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12 Reviews

90%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

In the early 1970s, a group of secretaries in Boston decided that they had suffered in silence long enough. They started fighting back, creating a movement to force changes in their workplaces. This movement became national, and is a largely forgotten story of U.S. twentieth century history. It encapsulates a unique intersection of the women's movement with the labor movement. The awareness these secretaries brought to bear on women's work reverberates even today. Clericals were the low-wage workers of their era. America now confronts the growing reality of deep income inequality. The stories and strategies of these bold, creative women resonates in contemporary America.

Tomris Laffly

Variety

Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar engagingly look back into the '70s for the roots of the movement that inspired a Hollywood hit and the famous Dolly Parton song.

Dec 18, 2020

Full Review

Kate Erbland

indieWire

Veering from the well-assembled focus of its first half doesn't diminish the power of the group's story, but it does end a vital film on a weaker note.

Rated: B

Jun 26, 2020

Full Review

Caryn James

Hollywood Reporter

Energetic, informative and bracing.

Jun 19, 2020

Full Review

Jake Mulligan

Dig Boston

There are passages where the film plays like a PowerPoint, but only because it's truly committed to function over form.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 23, 2021

Full Review

Jana Monji

Age of the Geek

This documentary tells the story how women changed the workplace, inspired a film starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton and Parton's song. This should be required viewing for Women's History Month.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 15, 2021

Full Review

Carla Hay

Culture Mix

The documentary 9to5: The Story of a Movement shines a deserving spotlight on the activists who fought for gender equality in the U.S. workforce, beginning in the early 1970s ... The documentary ... has a lively conversational tone.

Feb 18, 2021

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Audience Member

This documentary was really good. The entire crew did a fantastic job on bringing this story to life. This true story about the 9 to 5 movement was inspirational, dramatic, and shocking. It's about fighting for equality and justice in the workforce. If you haven't seen this documentary yet, check it out sometime. It's worth watching.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Steven Bognar

Director

Julia Reichert

Director

Jane Fonda

Self

Rose Aguirra

Self

Verna Barksdale

Self

Steven Bognar

Producer

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Synopsis

In the early 1970s, a group of secretaries in Boston decided that they had suffered in silence long enough. They started fighting back, creating a movement to force changes in their workplaces. This movement became national, and is a largely forgotten story of U.S. twentieth century history. It encapsulates a unique intersection of the women's movement with the labor movement. The awareness these secretaries brought to bear on women's work reverberates even today. Clericals were the low-wage workers of their era. America now confronts the growing reality of deep income inequality. The stories and strategies of these bold, creative women resonates in contemporary America.

Director: Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert
Producer: Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert
Production Co: The Better Angels Society, Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, Chicken And Egg Pictures, Fork Films, The National Endowment for the Arts, Dobkin Family Foundation, Ohio Humanities Council
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 19, 2020
Runtime: 1h 29m