‘Still Working 9 to 5’ highlights the impact of film on the fight for women’s rights
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Movies and TV shows are often seen simply as forms of entertainment. A way for viewers to escape reality for awhile and delve into the lives of these fictional characters.
But sometimes (pretty often I think, actually) a movie or TV show comes along and truly makes a statement. They have a lasting impact, maybe even more so than was originally thought. That was the case with 1980's "9 to 5."
You may be wondering "Laura… why would you be talking about that movie? You reviewed it last week!" Well, my friend (can I call you friend?), the craziest thing happened to me.
I received an email from the producers/directors of a documentary "Still Working 9 to 5" -- Camille Hardman and Gary Lane -- who took note of my review online. And they were kind enough to give me access to it, even while it's still only in its film festival stage.
The documentary premiered in March at the SXSW Conference & Festivals and was four years in the making. It takes viewers behind the scenes of the film that was produced by Jane Fonda's company IPC and stars herself alongside Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton.
It doesn't stop there. It dives into the importance of the film during a time when women's rights activists were fighting an uphill battle to have the Equal Rights Act (ERA) passed.
The documentary includes interviews from Fonda, Tomlin and Parton along with familiar faces such as Rita Moreno and Allison Janney. Many actors, writers, directors, editors and others were also given a spotlight in the documentary.
Stepping out of Hollywood, activists are also featured heavily -- including the founders of the 9to5 movement, Ellen Cassedy and Karen Nussbaum. This movement sought to bring to light the huge gap between men and women in the office. In the 1970s, when the movement began, there were about 20 million women in office positions. Many of whom suffered large gaps in pay compared to their male counterparts; were sexually harassed; and sometimes even relegated to "office wife."
Cassedy and Nussbaum, along with their large crew, wanted to draw these issues into the light. And "9 to 5" served as a perfect way to do so.
"Still working 9 to 5" doesn't just remain in the 1970s and 1980s. It tracks the ERA movement through its initial phases -- when congress required 38 states to ratify the act by 1982 -- all the way to present day. It steps outside of the ERA into the #MeToo era and more as well.
And all throughout, "9 to 5" is there to serve as an anchor.
"Still Working 9 to 5" comes at time when, for many, women's rights are being threatened once again. It shows that -- even though change has happened -- there's still work to be done.
What I loved the most about this documentary is how seamlessly it transitions from discussions surrounding the movie to the real life movements and struggles women face. I never once felt confused at the direction it went in.
And it's extremely educational. Whether you're looking for factoids about "9 to 5" or want to have a better understanding of ERA and 9to5, there's more than enough packed into this hour and a half movie.
"Still Working 9 to 5" is an educational, and well thought out, look into the fight for women's rights in the office and beyond. It gives an inside glimpse into the making of the movie while balancing real life inspirations behind the 9to5 and ERA movements.
"Still Working 9 to 5" is currently being entered into a variety of film festivals worldwide including: Nantucket Film Festival on June 24; DocEdge New Zealand on June 25 and 26; Edinburgh Scotland in August; Portugal and London film festivals in October and Hamptons Film Festival in November.
When the movie is released to stream, Lane told The Express that it will be alongside an exclusive duet of "9 to 5" with Parton and Kelly Clarkson. It was featured in the end credits of the documentary and I can promise that it's really good. The original will always hold a special place in my heart, but there's no denying this new version featuring Clarkson is amazing too.
If anyone is interested in learning more about "Still Working 9 to 5" and those behind the film, visit www.stillworking9to5.com.
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Laura Jameson is managing editor of The Express.