If you are looking for some great cult cinema with more of an empowered message, time to jump into the deep end of the “exploitation cinema” pool as we are going to celebrate empowered women who fight back!
Biker Chicks!
Let’s begin with a great movie genre: biker chicks! As you can see from the “Angels Die Hard” poster, they also live hard and love hard too!
The women in these films end up fighting back and fending off a variety of evil – always with an attitude!
There are many great examples of this genre, and I count them down here:
Here is another example of a VERY empowered woman:
“They’ll Love The Very Life Out Of Your Body!”
How can you not love a film with that tagline? “Invasion Of The Bee Girls” is classic 70’s cinema, because these women have all the power and plenty of sting!
This 1973 camp classic has a simple plot: A powerful cosmic force is turning Earth women into queen bees who kill men by wearing them out sexually!
That’s right, one film is willing to give you inside information you need – about cheerleaders!
The “wild Cheerleader” genre is hilarious for many reasons, especially because they always had time to shower:
While these films began as pure exploitation cinema, they became much more of a statement about empowered women – you can click here to see the five best ones!
And of course, it all got started here – the “Citizen Kane” of “wild wild women kicking ass” movies:
“Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!”
Legendary filmmaker Russ Meyer never topped the inspired title for this classic 60’s drive-in movie, but he made films for decades. The iconic Tura Saldana showed this sap who’s boss, along with her gang of gals who had one simple motto:
Director Meyer was at the forefront of the empowered female trend in exploitation film – and while he loved buxom women, he let them kick ass as well!
In fact, his films always had strong female characters who were tougher than any man they encountered.
“Wild Women! Wild Wheels!”
Yes, this is considered the origin of the “empowered woman” genre in exploitation cinema! Check out all of the classic Russ Meyer films here:
In 2012, indépendent filmmaker Harmony Korine brought back the “empowered women” genre with the controversial “Spring Breakers”:
James Franco starred alongside some of the most popular young stars at the time: Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Benson. It was a wildly original take on 60’s “empowered women” cult cinema, and is worth checking out. See the trailer here:
Obviously I’ve grown up a pop culture that was greatly influenced by and referenced these films but sadly seen too few of them. Hopefully that will change.
(I thought Sin City was great too, Cindy. I even liked the sequel. One of Rourke’s best roles!)
John, it’s always great to see Pam’s curves, for any reason. And Russ Meyer produced the films that dominated my teenage desires. Even if they seem almost funny now, feisty over-buxom women have never lost their place as number one on my list! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
It’s quite an irony– kittens who kill. You know what film I truly thought brilliant was “Sin City”. I could watch that several times. The merging of animation with a steamy 70s sexploitation plot worked for me. Maybe because it starred Bruce and Clive to balance out the T & A.
You can't take the Scotland out of a girl... Reel entertainment reviews and more from that Darlin Husband’s Scottish, square-eyed and film-mad wife living in Finland.
johnrieber 
Obviously I’ve grown up a pop culture that was greatly influenced by and referenced these films but sadly seen too few of them. Hopefully that will change.
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(I thought Sin City was great too, Cindy. I even liked the sequel. One of Rourke’s best roles!)
John, it’s always great to see Pam’s curves, for any reason. And Russ Meyer produced the films that dominated my teenage desires. Even if they seem almost funny now, feisty over-buxom women have never lost their place as number one on my list! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, they are very empowered female in their style tone and execution, even if they are filled with lots of nudity – the women are always in control…
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It’s quite an irony– kittens who kill. You know what film I truly thought brilliant was “Sin City”. I could watch that several times. The merging of animation with a steamy 70s sexploitation plot worked for me. Maybe because it starred Bruce and Clive to balance out the T & A.
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Sin City is terrific!
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Ahem, her name is Carla Cugino and she’s a damn fine actress. 🙂
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Not sure what you are referring to with Carla…
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What Cindy said John. 😉 She is a great actress too but you see quite a lot of her in Sin City.
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OK got it now!
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Just a little joke. 🙂
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Yes, I’m sure….
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I didn’t get the Carla reference…did you see her in the great Netflix movie “Gerald’s Game” this year, from a Stephen King story?
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