Cinema has proven more than once that women's stories are not only about love, but also about strength, independence, and fighting for yourself. But if you are tired of Pretty Woman and other stereotypical films, then we solved your problem.
Here are films that reveal multifaceted female characters - from cult biographies to independent art-house films.
Lee (2023) A woman's view behind the camera
A film about Lee Miller, one of the greatest female photographers who shot fashion for Vogue and then went to the front of World War II. Her photographs from concentration camps became a real challenge to society and showed the war through the eyes of a woman, bringing into the frames not just drama, but humanity, deep psychology, and emotional strength.
"This is an absolutely remarkable woman, and she is played by the equally remarkable Kate Winslet. This film was important to her not only as an actress, but also as a producer."
The film was shot by cinematographer Ellen Keras, known for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Coffee and Cigarettes. In Lee she explores how a woman looks at the world through a lens and how her perspective changes when she becomes a director herself.
"This film will bring the necessary emotional state that is needed, and will show how brave, outstanding and stereotype-breaking women can be."
Priscilla (2023) A Story Beyond the Legend
As in Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola once again focuses on the female experience. Priscilla Presley is not just Elvis's companion, but a person in her own right whose life reflects an entire era.
"We don't really analyze Elvis. We analyze the woman who is next to him, and she is not just a background, but an independent figure."
Coppola in Priscilla shows the transformation through visual details: first the camera fixates on the manicure, clothes, and then begins to look at the heroine through her own eyes.
"This is a film about women who remain in the shadow of great men, but in fact their stories are no less significant."
A Woman Under the Influence (1974) The World Was Not Ready for This
A Woman Under the Influence by John Cassavetes, starring his wife Gena Rawlins, is a powerful drama about a housewife who is on the verge of a nervous breakdown and goes beyond her limits.
"This film shows how the world of men is not ready for such a complex female character."
Cassavetes, despite the male gaze, acts as a huge humanist, creating a profound female portrait, where every emotion is genuine.
"This is not only a portrait of a woman, but also a family story about how her inner world is reflected in those around her."
Jackie Brown (1997) Tarantino's underrated heroine
"A woman who embodies everything: from fear to an attempt to throw up her hands and emerge victorious from this game."
In Jackie Brown, Tarantino creates not just a crime story, but a real dramedy, where every scene is imbued with the charisma and strength of the main character.
"This film shows how diverse women can be, and how they can charge viewers simply by their very existence in the frame."
