As we move into 2024, the cultural landscape continues to blossom with captivating books, films, shows and works of art, many of them created by talented women or focused on amplifying compelling women’s stories. This month, we take a closer look at these impactful creative works through the perspective of feminist critical analysis. Whether recking with issues of gender, identity and social hierarchies or simply bringing more female-centric narratives into the mainstream, these works open our minds and challenge preconceived ideas about women as creators and subjects.
Book lovers are in for a major treat this year.
Kiley Reid’s sly new novel “Come and Get It” tackles race, privilege , power dynamics on a prestigious college campus. Protagonist Agatha Paul, a Black visiting professor, must recalibrate her own biases when she encounters enigmatic resident advisor Millie Cousins, a wealthy white student hiding deep anxieties and family dysfunction underneath a perfect veneer. Laced with Reid’s trademark wit, this book prods readers to reexamine harmful stereotypes and complexes while getting lost in an intensely layered human drama.
A trio of stirring family sagas also top our must-read list, grappling with the quest for belonging “Mercury” by Amy Jo Burns; A compelling story about family and belonging, “Mercury” delves into the lives of the Joseph brothers and Marley West, exploring themes of family wounds and the quest for a sense of belonging. It’s a poignant reflection on familial relationships and personal growth.
Bonds of friendship and fatal mistakes that still haunt the present Sarahlyn Bruck’s “Light on the Fire”; This novel centers on Beth and Ally, who return to their hometown and confront past mistakes. It’s a story about friendship and facing the truth, revolving around an incident that happened twenty years ago, impacting their lives profoundly.
And how personal identity intertwines with community and heritage when a woman returns to her childhood home, Tara Karr Roberts’ “Wild and Distant Seas”. Set in the whaling community of Nantucket, this historical fiction follows Evangeline Hussey as she navigates life amidst personal and historical challenges. It’s inspired by Moby-Dick and spans generations, offering a deep dive into themes of identity and resilience.
“Unsinkable” by Jenni L. Walsh This novel tells the stories of two women, Violet and Daphne, who have survived numerous hardships, including shipwrecks and World War II. It’s a tale of survival, family obligations, and self-discovery, intertwining the lives of these resilient women.
Each novel dives deep into the female psyche, surfacing hard truths about self-actualization and growth.
Films Directed by Women or Featuring Strong Female Leads
For films, we eagerly anticipate show-stopping performances in the pipeline. Leading the pack is Sam Taylor-Johnson’s gut-wrenching Amy Winehouse biopic “Back to Black” (2024). Chronicling the artist’s swift trajectory to fame, her vibrant musical gifts, and the destructive vices that ultimately consumed her, this promises to showcase the depth and humanity behind the tabloid caricature of the tragically doomed “trainwreck.”
Elsewhere, Saoirse Ronan makes her directorial debut in “The Outrun,” based on Amy Liptrot’s raw memoir of battling alcoholism and confronting personal demons within the isolation of Scotland’s Orkney Islands. With sweeping cinematography of the windswept landscape, early reviews indicate a visceral portrait of breakdown and tentative recovery.
Finally, the Sundance Film Festival delivers a slate of films by and about complicated, intensely relatable women. Highlights for 2024 include:
The Outrun: An adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s memoir directed by Saoirse Ronan, depicting a woman confronting her troubled past in the Orkney Islands.
Rob Peace: Directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, this fact-based drama stars Jay Will, Camilla Cabello, and Mary J Blige.
Presence: A haunted house thriller directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring Lucy Liu and Julia Fox.
Freaky Tales: An 80s-set anthology directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, featuring Pedro Pascal and Normani.
A Different Man: A psychological thriller with Sebastian Stan.
Winner: About Reality Winner, starring Emilia Jones.
Female complexity takes center stage here rather than simplified caricatures or stereotypes.
Spotlight on Captivating Exhibitions by Women Artists
The art world in 2024 promises a stellar lineup of exhibits focusing specifically on female voices and viewpoints. Leading off, the National Museum of Women in the Arts brings together 28 women creatives reimagining futures inspired by the past for their “New Worlds: Women to Watch 2024” showcase. Diverse artists contemplate alternate realities as they reflect on recent global impacts in their work.
The Enari Gallery in Amsterdam hosts the evocative group exhibit “Moons,” using lunar symbolism as a touchpoint, while six artists offer an intimate female gaze questioning traditional perspectives. Examining ideas surrounding gender roles and feminine archetypes, these works promise to upend limiting assumptions about womanhood.
Stateside, the Wichita Art Museum’s in-depth look at Pennsylvania Academy history also brings lesser-known female talents to light with the revelatory “Making American Artists: Stories from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 1776–1976.” Alongside iconic works, underrepresented female artists receive attention, questioning assumptions around gender, race, and identity within the American art canon.
Finally, renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz unveils fresh images capturing noteworthy public figures and reflects on her influential career thus far in an eponymous Wichita exhibit. Offering rare insight into her creative evolution and contemporary practice, this collection cements Leibovitz as not just one of the most prolific but also one of the most impactful documentarians of women making history in the 21st century and beyond.
With revitalized perspectives, profound symbology and candid glimpses behind the lens, these wide-ranging exhibits promise to open our eyes to the kaleidoscopic impact of women shaping visions and narratives in the visual arts.
As women continue to reshape the cultural narrative going into 2024 and beyond, this column will cover exciting work across all creative fields through the lens of feminist critique. We’ll analyze complex social messages and look for subtle as well as obvious challenges to the status quo. What upcoming films, readings, shows, or exhibits are you most passionate about exploring in the coming year? We’ll share our recommendations and let the insightful discourse begin!
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