LibGuides: Women's History: Media

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Afghan Women: A History of Struggle (1:11:00) The tumultuous history of Afghanistan from the perspective of the country's female population, Afghan Women.
Ancient Lives: Woman’s Place (23:00) Woman’s place in ancient Egypt was in the home, but her status was otherwise honorable. In this program, the ceremonies surrounding childbirth are the jumping-off point for a re-creation of the rites simulating the creation of the world, which were performed every morning at every temple in ancient Egypt. This program discusses an ancient flash flood; love, marriage, and divorce; exquisite love poetry, written by both men and women in the village; Egyptian medicine; the ceremonies of childbirth; the market and the river Nile; the meaning of the temple at Karnak and the mathematical basis of its architectural harmony; the temple of Horus at Edfu; and the Lake of Creation and the primal egg, which holds the atmosphere that separates earth from sky and the goose that made the first sound.
BBC Divine Women Series (3 Titles) The status of women in religion is a contentious subject, from the furor in the Anglican Church over female bishops to heated debate about the role of women in Islam. But it hasn’t always been this way. In this three-part series, award-winning historian Bettany Hughes explores the status of women in religion, from 10,000 BC to the contemporary era. A BBC Production. 3-part series, 48–50 minutes each.
BBC Extraordinary Women Series (12 Titles) Grace Kelly, Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn, Indira Gandhi, and Madame Chiang Kai-shek were worshipped, loved and sometimes even feared by millions the world over. These pioneers showed that a woman could be the equal of a man but behind the public success, there was often private heartache and personal tragedy. This series, featuring archive interviews and dramatic re-enactment, reveals the price these women paid for their achievements, and adversities they overcame to emerge as triumphant, inspirational icons of the 20th century.
BBC Her Story: The Female Revolution Series (4 titles)) Over the past few decades, life for many women across the globe has changed beyond all recognition. This fascinating series explores how, from the highest echelons of society, to the lowest rungs of the global ladder, a quiet revolution has been taking place. Women today have the power of self-determination; the autonomy to choose their own life paths and identities, rather than those enforced on them. And while there is still oppression and repression from West to East, females the world over are grasping opportunities denied to those who went before them.
The Changing Role of Women in the U.K. (26:00) The 20th century saw enormous change for women in the home, at work, and in society at large. What has brought about these changes, and are they for the better? Even with legislation to ensure equal pay for equal work, sexual discrimination outlawed, and a former female prime minister, concerns about equality remain. Are today’s women expected to be responsible for cooking, cleaning, and child care as well as being employed outside the home? This program explores the changing role of women in the U.K., touching on voting, the impact of World War II, and the glass ceiling.
HBO Iron Jawed Angels (2:03:18) They had no vote, no political clout, no equal rights. But what they lacked under the law they made up for with brains, determination and courage. Oscar-winner Hilary Swank leads an outstanding cast in the inspirational true story of two women who dared to make a stand for women’s rights, and ended up shaping the future of America. Iron Jawed Angels: Lead, follow or get out of the way. Nominated for 5 Primetime Emmys. Winner of Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Nominated for another Golden Globe. Nominated for 10 Online Film & Television Association Awards.
HBO The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (1:33:00) Boasting an exceptional cast and production team, and based on Rebecca Skloot’s critically acclaimed 2010 nonfiction best-seller of the same name, this HBO Films drama tells the true story of Henrietta Lacks, an African- American woman whose cells were used to create the first immortal human cell line, known as HeLa. Told primarily through the eyes of Lacks’ daughter Deborah (Oprah Winfrey) and journalist Rebecca Skloot (Rose Byrne), the film chronicles Deborah’s search to learn about the mother she never knew, and to understand how the unauthorized harvesting of Lacks’ cancerous cells in 1951 led to unprecedented medical breakthroughs, from cancer to polio to radiation to AIDS, changing countless lives and the face of medicine forever. With a supporting cast that includes Renée Elise Goldsberry, Reg E. Cathey, Courtney B. Vance, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Leslie Uggams, Reed Birney, Rocky Carroll and John Douglas Thompson, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a story of medical arrogance and triumph, race, poverty, and deep friendship between the unlikeliest of people. Nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and another 20 awards. Winner of a Black Reel Award for Television, 2017.
IMPACT With Gal Gadot Series (6 Titles) National Geographic Presents: IMPACT with Gal Gadot is a documentary short series that follows the powerful stories of six women who are making an extraordinary impact on their communities around the world. Despite living in areas marred by violence, poverty, trauma, discrimination, oppression, and natural disasters, these brave women remain undeterred as they dare to dream, stand out, speak up and lead. The women featured in each short film come from very different backgrounds – across Brazil, Puerto Rico, Michigan, California, Louisiana and Tennessee – yet they are all connected by their unwavering determination and commitment to improving the lives of the people around them.
RBG (1:39) At the age of 85, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon. But without a definitive Ginsburg biography, the unique personal journey of this diminutive, quiet warrior's rise to the nation's highest court has been largely unknown, even to some of her biggest fans - until now. RBG is a revelatory documentary exploring Ginsburg 's exceptional life and career from Betsy West and Julie Cohen.
Story of Her (1:29:57) "Story of Her" is a 2022 dynamic American documentary that showcases bold stories of struggle and triumphs in the lives of everyday women.
Unbreakable: One Girl Changing the World—The Story of Malala (39:00) “They cannot stop me. I will get my education,” declares Malala Yousafzai in this riveting ABC News interview, filmed in the wake of the young activist’s 2013 trip to the United States. Her resoluteness and courage are unmistakable, but as she speaks with reporter Diane Sawyer about her mission and her near-fatal confrontation with the Taliban, Malala’s quite understandable fear and vulnerability also emerge. The conversation—mixed with footage from events in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, Malala’s speech before the United Nations, and interviews with her father and the doctors who saved her life—covers a wide range of topics. From her family and cultural background to her vision of a world in which education is available to all, Malala’s presence on camera is truly compelling and leaves no doubt as to her significance in the global struggle for women’s rights.
Wasps and Witches: Women Pilots of World War II (52:00) This fascinating documentary introduces the previously untold story of the forgotten fliers of the Second World War: women pilots from Britain, the United States, Russia, and Germany. These pilots risked everything for their countries and pioneered the way for others at a time when flying was the sole prerogative of men. Because of widespread skepticism, they had to prove their worth and their ability to do a “man’s” job. With unique archival footage and present-day interviews with the pilots themselves, this inspiring film offers unique insight into the experiences of the thousands of courageous women who have been “written out” of the history books.
Women of Latin America Series (13 Titles) This series examines life in 13 Latin American nations through the eyes of its women. Combined, the women-different as the countries of Latin America are different-paint a disturbing portrait of people struggling against all odds to survive racial and class discrimination, revolution, political injustice, and chronic economic instability. This is Latin America as never seen before. Produced and directed by Carmen Sarmiento Garcia. Caution: some of these programs contain graphic violence. 13-part series, 58 minutes each.

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