brazen hussies – australia’s feminist revolution on film
There was a lot of stuff Australian women couldn’t do back in the ’60s. Getting a bank loan, credit card, abortion – even a drink in a Queensland bar – was all off limits. And that was just the tip of an injustice-filled iceberg. Faced with a shitty reality and oppressive gender roles, a load of bold women from across the country joined forces to fight back against the status quo. Both their victories and internal struggles are captured in Brazen Hussies, a documentary by Melbourne-based filmmaker Catherine Dwyer that’s in cinemas from tomorrow (November 5th).
Through archival footage and interviews with activists from the Women’s Liberation Movement, Brazen Hussies tells the story of how Australia’s second-wave feminists fought for things like equal pay, reproductive rights, affordable childcare and the ability to leave abusive marriages. Covering the action-packed years between 1965 to 1975, the film is a tribute to the gutsy women who nudged us all closer to gender equality (whether that was by chaining themselves to the pub or making noise out on the streets). If you'd like to brush up on a bit of herstory, nab a ticket to a screening, pronto. Your little sister and mum might appreciate the invite, too.