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There are far fewer women’s stories about finding oneself and one’s business in modern cinema than men’s. And this is strange: as if women do not care about creative realization as acutely as finding love and family happiness. However, the famous Soviet self-made women from Svetly Path and Come Tomorrow can also find several Western alter egos.
1. «Zrin Brokovich» Stevena Soderberga (2000)
Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney
About what? About Erin Brockovich, who started looking for a job, left without a husband, without money, but with three small children. The fact that one’s own difficulties sharpen empathy, and sympathy for other people’s troubles gives strength and helps to understand what you really want.
Why watch? You don’t always have to wait until extreme desperation to change your life. But quite often in a stressful situation, like the one in which Erin found herself, that “energy of anxiety” appears, that excitement and adrenaline that stimulates us and allows us to use all our skills and abilities to the fullest extent. Difficulties can lead to great success.
“For the first time in my life, I see that people respect me. They listen to what I say. This has never happened before.»
2. Funny Girl by William Wyler (1968)
Starring: Barbra Streisand, Omar Sharif
About what? About the transformation of a simple girl from the suburbs of New York into a great comedic actress. About the need to believe in your own talent, as well as the willingness to make inevitable sacrifices and risks in order to fulfill your dream.
Why watch? Studies show that successful people are well aware of their strengths and weaknesses and build a career on the first. “Funny Girl” is an excellent illustration of how complexes can be turned into virtues, ugliness can be made your highlight and successfully present your individuality to the world.
“For an ordinary girl, you have a good appearance, my dear, but in the theater everyone wants to see something unusual, especially men.”
3. Miss Potter by Chris Noonan (2006)
Starring: René Zellweger, Yuan McGregor, Emily Watson
About what? About the subtle, intimate moment of creativity, about the birth of the children’s writer Helen Beatrix Potter, the author of fairy tales about Peter and Benjamin rabbits. About the courage to be yourself and live freely in prim, prejudiced Victorian England, because Miss Potter was one of those who changed social norms.
Why watch? Remind yourself of the importance of cherishing and cherishing your childish self. How important it is to be in touch with your inner child, who is always full of ideas and fantasies. Such contact is the basis of creativity. The dreams of Beatrix Potter remained alive, and therefore the characters invented by her seem so real.
“There is some charm in the birth of the first words of a book. You never know where they will take you. Mine brought me here.»
4. «Julie & Julia: Cooking Happiness with a Recipe» by Nora Ephron (2009)
Starring: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams
About what? About the funny coincidence of the fates of two women — from the 50s of the twentieth century and our contemporary — who were tied together by a passion for cooking and the search for their vocation. So, the famous Julia Child’s recipe book inspires hotline operator Julie to start a food blog and lead her to stardom.
Why watch? Making sure that finding something you love that brings you happiness doesn’t always mean breaking up your established life and starting over with a clean slate. And also to think about how important for our self-realization is the presence of a person who inspires us. And it doesn’t have to be around.
“Do you know why I love to cook? I am very pleased that after a day of complete uncertainty, you can return home and know for sure that if you add egg yolks to milk with chocolate, the mixture will thicken. It’s such a relief!»
5. «Frida» by Julie Taymore (2002)
Starring: Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina
About what? About a famous Mexican artist who has been haunted by misfortunes since childhood: polio, a serious accident that caused several operations and a long bedridden… Frida turned her suffering and joy, the pain of loneliness, love and jealousy for her husband into paintings.
Why watch? Touch the miracle of the birth of art from the motley truth of life. Learn that creativity not only allows the artist to express himself, but often becomes a way to solve serious internal problems. It helps to gain strength of mind.
“Are you an artist too, Mrs Rivera? «Oh no, I’m just killing time.»
6. «PS: I love you!» Richard LaGravenese (2007)
Starring: Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler
About what? The fact that overcoming the loss of a loved one and finding the strength to live on in full force — to feel, to fantasize, to believe — this is also a kind of self-made story. And in this sense, it does not matter that the letters of her deceased husband helped Holly find her way. The main thing is that she heard him.
Why watch? Holly discovered the secret of many happy people: just do what you love. Of course, this is not easy: it can be scary to admit the fallacy of your choice if the work is not to your liking. And not everyone manages to recognize their desires. But, if those close to us know us better than ourselves, why not turn to them?
“My task is to create,” you yourself told me this. So go home and find something that makes you different from everyone else.»