Cinema Can Do Feminism: Born in Flames

Lizzie Borden’s BORN IN FLAMES and Arsenal enjoy a lengthy shared history, including its premiere at the 13th Berlinale Forum, its distribution to other cinemas and festivals by Arsenal Distribution and finally the premiere of the restored version in 2019. Even if the concept of a “classic” is hardly a feminist term, the case can still be made that the film and the discourses that it set in motion have left a lasting impression on nearly every feminist and queer debate. Deeply rooted in its era, BORN IN FLAMES is a timeless film that reveals new spaces for thought and agency depending on context. BORN IN FLAMES is a future vision of an America in which equal rights for woman are only superficially recognized despite a socialist cultural revolution having taken place. Out of rage at empty promises, an army of radical women decide to fight sexism and racism. Their initially non-violent efforts escalate when one of their leaders dies in prison in mysterious circumstances. Kathryn Bigelow also had one of her only roles as an actress to date in BORN IN FLAMES. (stss)