Nothing could be more important than appreciating the efforts of past progressive crusaders who fueled a movement to where it is today. The documentary “She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry,” directed by Mary Dore, pays homage to the marches, protests, and general efforts of past and present feminists. The film features a few reenactments, but mostly relies on genuine footage or interviews with the women who were in the center of it all. With a pump-up soundtrack that highlights prominent artists of the movement and references to some of the first feminist literature, the documentary teaches viewers and urges them to continue to learn even after the credits are done rolling.

The documentary covers the origins of the feminist movement with a focus on the political and social gains made during the 1960s and 1970s. A particularly intriguing and informative aspect of the film examined how other civil rights movements intertwined with the history of the feminist movement. Since the film discusses the various feminist groups and niche beliefs of the time, there is a focus on how race, sexuality, and class all played into the movement. This twist bolstered my own reverence for feminists of the past, demonstrating how many hurdles they had to clear in order to get where we are today.

Despite the gains made by these pioneering women, the film stresses the importance of continuing the fight for a woman’s right to choose, birth control, an increase in female leadership, and putting an end to rape culture, among many other issues. If you consider yourself a feminist, it is crucial to know your history- not only to know exactly what the label of feminist means, but also to inspire you to be more proactive in the fight for women’s rights. Even if you do not consider yourself a feminist, I implore you to watch this film. In fact, you have the mutual responsibility of feminists to know the history of the movement. Especially at a time where many people feel their rights may be infringed on at any moment, it is critical to understand how far women’s rights have come and how far feminists have to go.