No trauma nor suffering! Some female-centric films to have fun with!

So, March 8th rolls around - it's Women's Day! I've been really tuning into the whole gender perspective thing when I watch movies. But here's the kicker, every time we talk about feminist movies, they're always about how much women suffer or how they're fighting against all this injustice in their worlds.

But let's get real here, feminist films don't have to be all gloom and doom. Feminism can also be about joy, about empowerment.

I'm going to recommend 12 female-centric movies and TV shows that I believe everyone should not miss. While they may not all directly promote feminist agenda, I’m sure they will leave you feeling more confident and happier as a woman.

1 Antonia‘s Line is like a cozy version of "One Hundred Years of Solitude", one created from a female perspective. Imagine watching four generations of women rebuilding life and utopia on war-ravaged land. Beautiful, isn't it?

2 Little Women 2019 is a feast for the eyes with lovely girls and picturesque scenes. The cherry on top? The 2019 version gives Jo the ending that author Louisa wanted. Jo chooses to stay single and makes achievements on her own. It takes 150 years to make this small yet significant change. Worth it, definitely.

3. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is a cute movie about a girl entering puberty. It gently captures many subtle and vital experiences in a woman's life. Make sure to have some tissues ready, it might bring back memories of your own girlhood.

4. Ever wondered what guys feel when they watch action movies? Give "Voleuses" a go. You'll probably want to take up boxing immediately. Feels empowering, right?

5. Legally Blonde is like the millennial "Barbie". Picture this: a blonde in a pink suit, determined and perseverant, makes it to Harvard and becomes a justice-driven lawyer. Who says pink is a weak color?

6. Booksmart is that comedy movie that defines a generation. It was "Superbad" for the last-gen teenagers, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" before that, and now it's "Booksmart". The best part? The stars of this teen film are two ordinary girls.

7.Raya and the Last Dragon– It might not be the most popular Disney flick, but it’s no less engaging and as an Asian woman, I'm totally hooked. The princess manages ’ to save the world solo without a prince by her side. Talk about girl power!

8. Sunshine Cleaning - On the surface, it seems kinda bleak: two struggling single moms start a cleaning company and hit a ton of roadblocks. But trust me, you'll finish this movie feeling unexpectedly inspired and warmed.

9. Ocean's 8 - Sure, it's your typical Hollywood heist story, but the twist? All the leads are women! Seeing so many A-list actresses in one action-packed movie, sans unnecessary nudity or violence, is definitely a reason to celebrate.

10. The Intern - It's a peek into the life of entrepreneur Jules (played by Anne Hathaway), and courtesy of Ben, a retiree returning to work (played by De Niro). No need to worry about it being dull - Nancy Myers' script takes care of that. Despite her husband's infidelity, Jules shows us life can still be warm and we can always choose to move on — a comforting message for all working women.

11. Deadloch - Hands down, the best TV show I've come across in 2023. A crime series with an all-female cast, it skips the usual over-the-top violence, nudity, and female abuse of typical crime shows. It offers a diverse range of vibrant female characters, and it's not afraid to mock patriarchy with a bit of humor. Perfect for a chill night in with snacks and your best gal pals.

12. Mom - This sitcom has my heart. Each female character is unique and captivating. It touches on motherhood, sisterhood, aging, addiction, and more - all at a relaxed pace. This show has brought me to tears more times than I can count, and I can't wait for more.

Maybe you've seen some of the movies I mentioned, or maybe some aren't your cup of tea, and that's totally cool. Just want to make a point here - if you look at over a hundred years of movie history, you'll see a lot of fictional female characters. Often they're there for a man, or they're nothing more than painful and superficial existences that are hard to relate to.

But we all know that's not the whole story of being a woman.

Joy and bravery are as much a part of our lives as anything else. That's what feminism's all about. We need more movies that put women front and center - to help us understand ourselves, learn more about the world, and feel good about who we are. It’s just that making or watching movies isn't just for the guys. We don't have to stand in men’s shoes to enjoy a good film.

The world of movies still holds so many possibilities for us as women, and that's pretty exciting!