Feminists: What Were They Thinking?

2018

1 hr. 27 min.

Documentary

List

80%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

60%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

Filmmaker Johanna Demetrakas revisits photos from a 1977 book of photographs that captured women shedding cultural restrictions.

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Audience Member

Where are all the Black women in this film? 2nd wave of feminism is always unfortunately insanely white-washed and comes up really short when it comes to talking about the feminist heroes of color during that time. During THAT time. We are somewhere way after the third wave and this doc made me wonder if the director is paying any attention. I think a Vox article called the 2nd wavers "clumsy with race" or something, and I think that's correct. This film reflects that. We've got to start insisting on inclusion.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Rosali M

While you can feel the whole point of feminism most of the time, there are some moments where the narrative takes you away from the whole point of the movie: women's stories

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/18/19

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Audience Member

Not much, apparently.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Audience Member

Amazing doc movie for this time... These heroes may be different, but the true is not like we expected. Gonna watch again on boxxy software asap.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

An insightful look into the individual lives of 60s and 70s feminists, although, should be more inclusive. Would have loved to see more women of color and hear more of their stories and their activism.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Found this to be a very beautiful and inspirational documentary. A celebration of women who listened to or found their inner voice, and used that strength to lift up other women and to try and make the world a better place in different ways. I thought it conveyed the courage that it takes to try and do that, and was moving and motivating to the next generation; it is not an easy or straightforward path, but one worth continuing to pursue.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Johanna Demetrakas

Director

Laurie Anderson

Actor

Judy Chicago

Actor

Jane Fonda

Actor

Sally Kirkland

Actor

Meredith Monk

Actor

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Brad Newsome

Sydney Morning Herald

A captivating film that ought to be expanded into a series.

Feb 28, 2019

Full Review

Renee Schonfeld

Common Sense Media

Affecting docu about 1970s feminism; nude photos, language.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 6, 2018

Full Review

Chauncey K. Robinson

People's World

The movie serves more as a glimpse into second wave feminism, as opposed to a thorough look, but it is needed all the same. Although, it lacks true inclusion in some areas.

Oct 17, 2018

Full Review

Sarah Jasmine Montgomery

The Daily Dot

This visual anthology presents a collection of individual stories introducing some of the most influential feminists of the 1960s and '70s. It's not much more.

Oct 15, 2018

Full Review

Roger Moore

Movie Nation

A sprawling, almost over-reaching (considering its 85 minute running time) and optimistic look at American feminists, then and now, old and young.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 10, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Johanna Demetrakas revisits photos from a 1977 book of photographs that captured women shedding cultural restrictions.

Director: Johanna Demetrakas
Executive Producer: Cheryl Swannack
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 12, 2018

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