“Certain people – men, of course – discouraged me, saying science was not a good career for women. That pushed me even more to persevere.”
Those were the powerful words uttered by highly respected virologist and 2008 Nobel Prize winner for Physiology or Medicine, Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, who played a pivotal role in co-discovering the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Today, 11 Feb, is a day the United Nations adopted as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls.
As such, it has become more important than ever to recognise women’s contribution to science, beat misogynistic stereotypes and inspire little girls everywhere to make their marks in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The entertainment industry has also followed suit and evolved, with women becoming stars of the silver screen and allowing for more representation when it comes to smart and incredible women.
Here are six must-watch movies and series that are bound to get you, and the women around you, inspired.
1. Hidden Figures
The moment the subject of women in science comes up, this movie is often one of the first to be mentioned.
Before ‘Hidden Figures’ was released in 2016, very few knew of the amazing feats of three brilliant African-American women; Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, whose brilliant work propelled the first American, John Glenn, into orbit in 1962.
In just two hours, the movie showcased what women faced in times of sexism and adversity way back when, and how they pushed through and became an inspiration for other women today.
2. Interstellar
Nothing can compare to the brilliant mind of Christopher Nolan as proven by his award-winning blockbusters. However, one particular movie released in 2014 shook the world – the epic science fiction film, Interstellar.
The plot revolves around a dying Mother Earth and a former NASA pilot (played by Matthew McConaughey), who is tasked with leading a mission through a wormhole to find a habitable planet in another galaxy.
But did you know that Christopher Nolan deliberately wanted a woman to play one of the film’s central characters?
The decision was reportedly driven by the director’s own relationship with his daughter, and due to this influence, actress Jessica Chastain was eventually cast as Murph, the brilliant scientist who found the solution to saving mankind.
And, if you weren’t aware, Nolan’s daughter Flora even has a small cameo in the movie.
3. Black Panther
“Wakanda forever!”
When Black Panther first came out in cinemas in 2018, it wasn’t just the catchy phrase that caught everyone’s hearts or Chadwick Boseman’s fantastic acting.
It was Princess Shuri, chief scientist and chief technology officer of Wakanda, who stole the hearts of moviegoers everywhere for being the cheeky sister and a genius innovator.
Letitia Wright, who played Shuri, said that she received “a flood of messages from people saying thank you for representing us. There’s been such a lack of exposure to young women in STEM subjects.”
4. Gravity
Before ‘Gravity’ was released in 2013, the very notion of women playing the lead role in a big-budget film was too good to be true.
Interestingly, during a press conference at Comic-Con in 2013, writer-director Alfonso Cuarón noted that not everyone involved with the movie was happy with the decision and suggested a male lead.
“When I finished the script, there were voices that were saying, ‘well, we should change it to a male lead’,” said Cuarón.
“Obviously, they were not powerful enough voices, because we got away with it. But the sad thing is that there is still that tendency.”
And, despite all the odds, Sandra Bullock was phenomenal in her role as a medical engineer on her first space shuttle mission. She was even nominated for Best Actress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards for this particular movie.
5. Big Bang Theory
First premiering in 2007, ‘Big Bang Theory’ went on for 12 whole years and was one of the five most popular shows in the world.
The sitcom depicts many female scientists, such as microbiologist Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz, played by Melissa Rauch, and Sara Gilbert’s Leslie Winkle, an experimental physicist.
Mayim Balik, who played Amy Farrah Fowler in the series is an actual neuroscientist in real life, and she has the doctorate to prove it.
Talk about a multi-talented woman!
6. A Series of Unfortunate Events
After a collective volume of 13 books called ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ was converted into a series on Netflix, viewers were introduced to the eldest of the three Baudelaire orphans, Violet.
Most well-known for being an incredibly talented inventor, she regularly worms her way out of difficult situations by thinking up genius ways to solve a problem.
And of course, who could forget her trademark move of tying her hair back with her trusty ribbon whenever she needs to think with that brilliant brain of hers?
So, now that you’ve familiarised yourself with these characters – both real and fictional – the upcoming long weekend will be the perfect time to indulge in the shows on this list.
Who knows, it just might inspire you to be the next Katherine Johnson!