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Unsung ‘Girlfriends’ had great impact on feminist cinema

Melanie Mayron and Claudia Weill in Girlfriends (1978). (imbd.com)

NEW ULM — The 1978 film “Girlfriends” is one of the most influential films in women-centered cinema, but don’t worry if you’ve never seen it — few have been so lucky.

The New Ulm Film Society will screen this unsung film as part of its ongoing Women Director Series. The screening starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 at the New Ulm Public Library.

“Girlfriends” is a comedy directed by Claudia Weill. The film tells the story of friends and longterm roommates Susan (Melanie Mayron) and Anne (Anita Skinner). The two girlfriends have reached a crossroads in their relationship in terms of their careers and personal life. Susan is a photographer on the edge of making a career out her art, but things get complicated when Anne moves out to marry her boyfriend. This forces Susan to live on her own and figure out life without her best friend to mixed success.

Those lucky enough to see “Girlfriends” considered it one of the best examples of second-wave feminism. The main character is a young independent woman pursuing a career in New York City. In a modern film this nothing in unique, but in 1978 it was an act of defiance.

Susan’s primary focus is on her photography career. That’s not to say she does not have relationships with men, but the men in her life are kept to the side.

As the film’s title suggests the main focus of story is on the relationship between Susan and Anne. Both women struggle with their own personal issues, but the main drama is maintaining their friendship. The final scene of the film is built on the two friends reconciling after a brutal falling out.

“Girlfriends” was not a big hit upon its initial release but it was a critical success. The film received praise for its unique feminist perspective. Its most glowing review came from legendary director Stanely Kubrick.

Kubrick described “Girlfriends” as one of the most interesting films he had seen. “It seemed to make no compromise to the inner truth of the story,” he said.

Despite Kubrick’s praise the film fell into obscurity becoming a hidden gem of the ’70s era of cinema. Even though the film copied the documentary-style realism of other ’70s films it seemed like the world was not ready for a comedy with a feminine perspective.

Weill did direct another mainstream film in 1980s, but with general film audiences continuing to ignore her work she transitioned to small screen. Weill would directed several televisions shows over the next few decades. Some of these TV shows would have thematic similarities with “Girlfriends”. The most obvious example was the TV show “Thirtysomething.”

Weill directed multiple episodes of the series which starred actress Melanie Mayron playing a character very similar to Susan.

Forty years later “Girlfriends” is credited as an influence for nearly every female-led comedy or drama.

The HBO TV show “Girls” is often compared with “Girlfriends” for similar themes and characters. Weill even directed an episode of “Girls.”

Audiences revisiting “Girlfriends” today have a chance to see how the world of feminist cinema has changed, or in some cases remained the same over the last four decades.

The screening of “Girlfriends” starts Tuesday, at 6 p.m. New Ulm Film Society will facilitate discussion on the film afterward.

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