Drunk Feminist Films is a feminist collective that puts on monthly film screenings at Revue Cinema. The collective uses humour as a means to examine the limited portrayal of women in Hollywood. So far, DFF has shown movies like Bridesmaids, Clueless, Mean Girls, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High, to name a few. With an active social media platform on Facebook and Twitter, the group also has a YouTube series, where the women discuss various films (and one episode of Game of Thrones) while drinking to the outward misogyny and stereotypes that Hollywood propagates. You should take a look—it’s wickedly good.
The Strand interviewed DFF, who provided interesting answers on their collective, the feminist voice in Toronto, and the responsibility of providing Torontonians with a chance to “laugh instead of cry” their way through Hollywood films.
The Strand: How did DFF get started?
Drunk Feminist Films: We’re excited to screen Twilight, since that’s where DFF started. Gillian wrote a drinking game to go along with this movie, and invited everyone else to her place—we found we had a lot to say about it. Also, it was far less exhausting watching together in the spirit of fun than getting angry about it. The idea was born out of that: that getting a group of feminist folk together to rag on damaging Hollywood tropes and representations (or lack thereof) could be a great outlet. Burn off some steam, laugh your face off, and relax together. Drinking is optional—the heart of the idea is silliness and fun, which is why we include callouts and actions (like swinging tampons) when the game rules demand action. It’s about participation in any way viewers are comfortable.
TS: What is the objective or goal of your collective?
DFF: Fun. There are so many frustrating, enraging, and triggering themes, characters, and ideas in Hollywood movies, and once you see them, you can’t un-see them. This is a place for folks who see, or are beginning to see, these gross occurrences for what they are: total bullshit. Seeing them can make movie watching really challenging. Sharing that challenge with a whole theatre that is shouting at the screen together? That’s really, really fun.
We also do drink/shout along-at-home episodes on YouTube, with a similar goal. Can’t make it to the screenings? You can watch an episode and play along at home with your friends.
TS: Within the realm of feminism and feminist activism, it’s not common to use humour as a means of instigating discussion—why use humour and the medium of film/cinema? How effective is it?
DFF: We may have covered this above, but it’s so important to have a release valve when it comes to something as serious as discrimination. As a culture, we are bombarded with images and examples of gross injustice, cruelty, and suffering being experienced disproportionately by marginalised folks. That can seep into your skin and feed despair. When you laugh, you are breathing and interacting with the garbage-y ways of this world, instead of letting [them] paralyze you. You’re meeting like-minded folks in a fun environment, empowering you to act. Humour is imperative—it’s born out of joy and love, and that is always the goal. More love, please.
TS: How do you choose the films? Is there a specific issue/theme you wish to draw out in every screening? If so, what are the most common themes that emerge with the film screenings?
DFF: Our movie choices are the balance between what people are interested in watching and what we can obtain rights to screen. Popular movies are more interesting, because they are a part of our lives already. It’s so interesting to take a deeper look at some films that have become cultural institutions. You see the ways they let you down, and the ways they pleasantly surprise you. Themes of women and agency are popular: women are so frequently and routinely stripped of basic decision making in films. Race is a big one as well. It’s not news that white people dominate Hollywood movies—if we drank for every racialized person in a speaking role, we’d never get drunk. That’s sad on many levels.
TS: Within feminism, there is a lot of discussion about inclusivity and intersectionality. Is there a conscious effort by DFF to be aware of these aspects within feminism?
DFF: From the get go, we were very concerned about the homogenous voice that four white, cis women bring to the table. We recently made a call for more voices to join us and have been wowed by the response. We’ve also been very lucky to have some incredible guests for both our videos and events (Soha Kareem, Sophia Banks, Bee Quammie, Kyrell Grant, and more) and are looking forward to stepping back to let other voices and perspectives be heard. Over the last few weeks we’ve been meeting with a bunch of new cast members who bring a wide variety of perspectives and senses of humour to the table, and we can’t wait to introduce our expanded cast. That announcement will be happening very soon!
TS: What do you think of the feminist community in Toronto? Is it prominent? Could it have a louder voice?
DFF: The feminist community in Toronto is incredible—we are so lucky! Toronto is brimming with intersectional feminist brilliance, from post-secondary school groups, to book clubs, to women’s fitness communities like Newsgirls, to advocates like Saadia Muzaffar and Septembre Anderson, whose voices in social and traditional media are leading the charge toward a more inclusive Canadian feminism. The conversation on social media is particularly vibrant, and we are thrilled that our events are part of that landscape.
TS: Lastly, for all the young women and men that feel too embarrassed to openly say they’re feminist in public spaces (or for those that believe feminism is only used to “blame” men…an annoying but unfortunately common sentiment), what advice and worldly wisdom can you impart on the next generation?
DFF: Hmmm. This answer is touchy-feely as hell: talk to your friends about their stance. Ask questions. Listen to the answers. Root your desire for change in a desire to increase the love and connection between people. Make friends and foster understanding.
