Everyone loves a strong female lead in a film. They’re important to act as a role model for young people, showing that females can be independent and boosting the confidence of viewers. March marks International Women’s Month, there is no better time to celebrate the best female leads of all time:
Katniss Everdeen - The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games saga is a well-known piece of cinematic genius. Volunteering her life to save her sister and then defying the Capitol makes Katniss Everdeen a strong survivalist. In later films, she becomes dedicated to the rebellion cause. She is determined to fight against the long-standing, dividing structures of her society. Despite not being outrightly feminist, I think her liberation and strength are something that women can aspire to.
Mulan
Let’s get down to business with this character. Disney released both a musical cartoon and a live-action version of Mulan’s story. In both films we see her disguise as a male warrior who joins the imperial army to save her ill father from being forcefully enlisted.
While she is not actively attempting to change societal rules, we see her push against the traditional expectations of women to stick up for what she cares about most, her family.
Okoye - Black Panther
Black Panther’s Okoye is possibly one of my favourite Marvel characters. Committed to protecting the Wakanda throne she leads an army of women and is arguably the best warrior of Wakanda (aside from the Black Panther himself of course). Despite her human status and lack of superpowers, with a little help from Vibranium she still manages to succeed every time. Her leadership and dedication to her people make her an icon for younger viewers.
Bridget Jones - Bridget Jones’ Diary
While at first glance, Bridget Jones is presented to be consistently searching for love which might seem like the opposite idea of a feminist hero, your opinion will change when you consider the storyline more closely. Compared to the likes of Katniss Everdeen, Bridget is not trying to alter society or do anything completely out of the ordinary.
Instead, she is an ordinary woman who is genuinely bad at things and just wants to be a good person with a nice life. Despite the odds that seem extravagantly against her, in Bridget Jones’ Diary, we see her learn to love herself for who she is. I think this is probably the most important lesson any woman can learn.
Edited by Lucy Wilcox