If you think you're a feminist, think again. Suffragette is a film that mirrors the very definition of the term "feminism." Inspired by true events that transpired in 1912, England the film summarises the struggle of working women, mothers, and human beings that were earlier branded, discarded, and made to dance to the tune of men. It highlights the sheer determination of women who wanted to be more than just someone's wife or someone's mother; who wanted to be recognised and respected as equal citizens; who wanted to be treated with fairness.
The film primarily focuses on the lives of four women, that were followers of Emmeline Pankhurst-played by Meryl Streep. Although Streep doesn't get much screen time, she aides a hesitant protagonist to believe in a cause that is larger than she thinks.
Maud Watts (Carrey Mulligan), is a mother of a young boy no more than five and works as a launderer. Her husband, Sonny Watts (Ben Wishaw) has a cushier job at the same laundromat as a delivery-man and makes six shillings more than her; not that she complains. Watts happily goes about her own life until she's caught amidst a suffragette protest, resulting in her involuntary involvement. She recognises a woman, who is later revealed to be a woman who works at the same laundromat as Watts and is branded to be a troublemaker by their boss- Norman Taylor (Geoff Bell). Violet, and her twelve-year-old daughter, both work at the laundromat. Taylor is a paedophile who assaults the girls that work there and nobody seems to do much about it.
Watts eventually gets persuaded into reading out a testimony in front of the Parliament to further the cause of voting rights for women. While women in their hundreds eagerly await the verdict, they are terribly disappointed to hear that "due to the lack of evidence the bill cannot be passed." The protest gets violent, resulting in the arrest of Watts, Violet, and Edith Ellyn (Helena Bonham Carter)-who is instrumental in leading most of the protests against the government.
Post their release, Watts gets recruited as a suffragette. Her husband isn't particularly happy with the news and more so considering his wife's arrest has brought on a stigma and her involvement in the movement is looked upon as a disgrace.
Brendan Gleeson popularly known for his role as Mad-Eye Moody in the Harry Potter series appears as an antagonist in the film and an officer of the law, whose sole purpose is to quash the movement. In an attempt to persuade Watts to become his informant, he offers her freedom after she burns Taylor's hand at the laundromat after he shames and molests her. Watts is only determined more than ever to become a torchbearer for the struggle after she is arrested yet again for helping Pankhurst evade arrest after giving a public speech.
As a result of her actions, Sonny kicks her out of the house and refuses to let her meet her son. Being unable to care for him, he gives his son up to a couple for adoption and completely sears his relationship with his wife. Mind you... during this period, women weren't allowed to divorce their husbands but could be kicked out of the house. Women had no control over their finances or rights over their own children. They were practically "childbearing pretty things" in the higher class and childbearing wage earning playthings in the working class.
As a result of her actions, Sonny kicks her out of the house and refuses to let her meet her son. Being unable to care for him, he gives his son up to a couple for adoption and completely sears his relationship with his wife. Mind you... during this period, women weren't allowed to divorce their husbands but could be kicked out of the house. Women had no control over their finances or rights over their own children. They were practically "childbearing pretty things" in the higher class and childbearing wage earning playthings in the working class.
Matters become much worse when Watts, Ellyn and Emily Davison (Natalie Press) blow up and unoccupied Parliamentary residence. Being determined to ensure that they're taken seriously, the women refuse to eat in prison and are force-fed and subjected to terrible brutality. However, the officers of the law maintain a tight grip over the press, resulting in almost no coverage of the event.
Davison martyrs herself to the cause in order to get attention as she rushes onto a race track where she is trampled by the King's horse. The movement finally gets coverage and more women join the cause.
It wasn't until 1925 that the English law recognised a mother's right to her children and only in 1928 did women get equal voting rights as men.
A beautifully directed, produced, and written piece that makes you grateful to all the women who sacrificed so much so that we could enjoy a cushy life. It makes us wonder about all the women who in fact didn't participate and made it harder for those who did and had the courage and dignity to raise a voice and say, "This isn't okay. I want a better life for myself and the future generation of women." It makes you ache for the women who faced atrocities so that we could have what we have. Seeing the film certainly makes me value my position in society more.
