Read an incisive review of the film by Andrew Collins, a writer, presenter and film editor of Radio Times, here.
‘What an inspiring and uplifting film! Women: a success story tells the story of modern feminism through the voices of women who lived through it. Their accounts remind us how restricted women were in the past but also the way in which so many women developed the confidence to challenge the status quo. Witty, intelligent and thoughtful, the interviewees talk openly about their experiences of relationships, work and politics. Most interesting is their empathy for the men in their lives and the concern about certain aspects of contemporary feminism. A documentary rich in wisdom and insight – everyone interested in feminism ought to watch it.’ Munira Mirza, director of HENI talks and former London deputy mayor for Education and Culture
‘Funny, shocking and moving, an inspiring timeline of generations of women with great stories who don’t see men as a problem, so refreshing. A stunning visual essay and hugely entertaining.’ Viv Regan, managing editor of spiked
‘Really excellent and inspiring film. Both the content and the filmmakers’ dedication and enthusiasm – I want to see it again and read Joanna William’s book.’ Toby Smith
‘Loved it! My generation (I was born in the 1960s) wanted the same freedoms as men, and we took charge of our own destinies. We viewed life as a continual experiment, an urgent pressing into the unknown. If we got knocked down, we got up again and learned from our mistakes. Today, in contrast, too many young women want their safety, security and happiness guaranteed in advance. They obsess over trivial issues – wolf whistling, badly phrased jokes and misplaced compliments –which not only portrays women as numpties, but pitches men and women against each other in a never-ending gender war that benefits no-one. A must see for the young generation, and required viewing for a fair few TV producers as well.’ Jenny Mistry
‘Women: A Success Story is a thoroughly inspiring and captivating documentary that challenges the idea that there has never been a worse time to be a woman, by exploring the reality of women’s lives over the last 100 years. From the back street abortions to outside loos, it shows how young women today have freedom and opportunities their grandmothers could barely have imagined. I will definitely show it at my university!’ Jasmine Novak
‘Just watched your film on women and loved every minute of it – analysis, presentation, variety of people involved in talking about women’s road to liberation, archive material. So good to hear a different view to the narrative that most men are sexual predators and most women their victims. This is an excellent film on so many counts and deserves to be broadly seen.’ Shelia Dolan
‘Brilliant film – I am constantly shocked and dismayed by the nearly Victorian notions promulgated by today’s feminists about the fragility of women and their naïve helplessness in asserting control over their own lives. So thank you for providing a platform to 40 extraordinary women, who demonstrated the tough, no-crap attitude of the rebellious women of the past. I hope you succeed in getting this film out to a much wider audience.’ Cathy Gannaway
‘WORLDwrite’s latest documentary, Women: A Success Story, celebrates the incredible progress women have made over the past hundred years. Nowadays, women have much higher expectations for their lives, greater choice and real opportunities to realise their ambitions. The film interviews women from different generations and from across the UK to show just how much has changed. It is important to highlight this success story because it is far too easy for women today to fall prey to the narrative that we are victims. Feminist campaigns like#MeToo and warnings about a gender pay-gap have convinced many young women that the world is becoming more difficult for women to negotiate, rather than easier…’ Read the full review of the film by Candice Holdsworth, a spiked columnist, here.
The film also featured on the East London & West Essex Guardian Series here.