A mockumentary about an ultimate timeline where the US became a socialist state that did very little to benefit the disadvantaged, and a couple of organisations that aim to overthrow the system in an attempt to enact real change.
For 1983, this is so radical that it still probably would feel radical to most viewers in 2022. It's pretty bleak, hopeless, and messy, but I think there's a lot of truth here. I think it successfully argues that there'd still be a lot of work to do to make a society healthy beyond making changes within the already established system. If it's a starting point, sure, but Born In Flames says that's not enough.
The film's probably right. The US hasn't even gone as far to even be a socialist-democratic country, and if it ever did, they may well deal with some of the problems this film depicts.
I wish the movie was overall a little more focused- there's some repetition and a few too man characters, and there's one song they play every 15 or so minutes, which drove me a bit nuts. But I do really love what it's going for and how forward-thinking it is (and how well it's aged),and the execution overall is still pretty solid.
Also: that final shot is crazy.
Born in Flames
1983
Action / Comedy / Drama / Sci-Fi
Born in Flames
1983
Action / Comedy / Drama / Sci-Fi
Keywords: woman directorfeminism
Plot summary
Set ten years after the most peaceful revolution in United States history, a revolution in which a socialist government gains power, this films presents a dystopia in which the issues of many progressive groups - minorities, liberals, gay rights organizations, feminists - are ostensibly dealt with by the government, and yet there are still problems with jobs, with gender issues, with governmental preference and violence. In New York City, in this future time, a group of women decide to organize and mobilize, to take the revolution farther than any man - and many women - ever imagined in their lifetimes.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Movie Reviews
Still feels ahead of its time in many ways
I watched that movie at nobu projects in antalya during feminist movie festivals.
I watched that movie at nobu projects in antalya during feminist movie festivals. It was in june.
I tried to remember and i also had notes so i keep writing from them for this review.
Women had privileges but when men protested, the women gave up it. Why?
It seems they have a black president but not black privilege.
Bike protest was not so strong but government made it a big deal. Interesting.
We see how people who need to be united can be divided. Workers, feminists. But then feminists go together. Radio and army. And a big protest happens.
I think there is only lesbian as LGBTIQ+, not other people. I did not see.
We see how media tries to manipulate the people. Media talks about always past. How past was bad and how today is good. Just like in turkey. Media tries to make people sleep.
So radio and music becomes powerful. Against that patriarchal media.
The songs, those nice funky songs is one of the things that stayed in my mind. Also great music and how women found the answer in violence. Because there were no choices. It is 10 years after revolution, which was supposed to bring equality but it did not change anything for except straight males.
There were lots of referrings to real things. Like black panther party - explosion in the end.
Florynce Kennedy was great as zella. So does Adele Bertei as isabel.
I need to watch this movie again. It is great feminist-revolutionary movie. I give 9/10!
Edgy film about radical feminist politics.
This is a very radical political film. As a black lesbian feminist, I could relate to the premise of this film. The plot unfolds in a semi-documentary style, making this film all the more interesting. Set against the gritty backdrop NYC, the film has a distinctly apocalyptic feel to it. This movie harks back to the militant, left-wing revolutionary fervor, of the 60s and early 70s.
Despite the changes in society resulting from feminism, gay rights, and the civil rights movement in the last 40 years, this movie shows that there's still much work to be done, to achieve real equality for all. It's not surprising to me that the radical political movement in the film, is led by a working-class black lesbian. Women who happen to be lesbian, blue-collar, and of color, are still the most oppressed people in our society.
Jean Satterfield is superb as Adelaide Norris, the dedicated member of the Women's Army. Jean conveys the militant stance of Adelaide, in a very visceral way. The supporting cast of this film, was also compelling. Especially Honey as Honey, the feminist revolutionary radio DJ. The film was slow-moving at times, but packed an emotional punch.
Rights of the oppressed in society, have been rolled-back by right-wing conservatives for the past 28 years. So, we could use a radical political strategy that addresses the rights of the oppressed again, like we did in the 60s and 70s. History has been known to repeat itself. In this day and age, a radical uprising by women in pursuit of equality, is needed more than ever. This movie could very well be a sign of things to come, in that regard. I recommend this film, to all who take women's rights seriously, and want to become more aware of women's oppression in society.