Girl Power

Girl Power

1992 · 15 min · ★ 5.4 · Music

Set to music by Bikini Kill (an all-girl band from Washington), Girl Power is a raucous vision of what it means to be a radical girl in the 90s. Benning relates her personal rebellion against school, family, and female stereotypes as a story of personal freedom, telling how she used to model like Matt Dillon and skip school to have adventures alone. Informed by the underground “riot grrrl” movement, this tape transforms the image politics of female youth, rejecting traditional passivity and polite compliance in favor of radical independence and a self-determined sexual identity.

Directed by Sadie Benning

Your Rating

Cast

Make it a double feature

1h 43m together

Girl Power

CB4

A close match in mood and era.

More from Sadie BenningSee all →

White Trash GirlWhite Trash Girl · 1995
White Trash Girl
8.51995
Movie
A woman from poor upbringing grows up to be the leader of a group of extremely rugged individuals.
North on EversNorth on Evers · 1992
North on Evers
7.51992
MovieDocumentary
In NORTH ON EVERS James Benning takes the road movie seriously, making his circular trip across the U.S. a marvelously photographed, intensely felt, and disturbing portrait of contemporary America. In many ways, this recent film is a departure of Benning’s earlier films which are characterized, at times, by extremely long, carefully planned takes and a minimal narrative approach. In NORTH ON EVERS, the shots are kept short with a narrative that is direct and detailed, like a diary or a long series of postcards to a friend. What this work shares with the other films is a dry wit and a deep interest in the American social landscape.
Flesh HistoriesFlesh Histories · 1992
Flesh Histories
1992
Movie
A diverse program of films and videos by various artists who challenge conventional representations of gender, family and sexuality, curated by Tom Kalin for Drift Distribution.
Play PausePlay Pause · 2006
Play Pause
2006
Movie
The two-channel video departs from Benning’s earlier work, cutting together hundreds of the artist’s gouache drawings of urban landscapes, figures, and abstractions. With its fragmented split-screen perspective, durational takes of still drawings, and occasional use of color filters, Play Pause speaks to the heightening of perception that accompanies periods of loss.

More Like This

BanditsBandits · 1997
Bandits
6.01997
MovieDramaMusic
Four female cons who have formed a band in prison get a chance to play at a police ball outside the walls. They take the chance to escape. Being on the run from the law they even make it to sell their music and become famous outlaws.
HounddogHounddog · 2008
Hounddog
6.52008
MovieDramaMusic
A drama set in the American South, where a precocious, troubled girl finds a safe haven in the music and movement of Elvis Presley.
CB4CB4 · 1993
CB4
6.11993
MovieComedyMusic
A "rockumentary", covering the rise to fame of MC Gusto, Stab Master Arson, and Dead Mike: members of the rap group "CB4". We soon learn that these three are not what they seem and don't appear to know as much about rap music as they claim... but a lack of musical ability in an artist never hurts sales, does it? You've just got to play the part of a rap star...
One Last DanceOne Last Dance · 2003
One Last Dance
5.62003
MovieRomanceDrama
In the wake of tragedy, a renowed New York dance company is on the brink of collapse. After leaving the dance world for good, Travis, Chrissa, and Max are pulled in to resurrect the dance that shattered their careers. They have one last chance to save the company, re-connect with the passion and magic, and prove that miracles really can happen.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The SqueakquelAlvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel · 2009
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
5.72009
MovieComedyFamily
Pop sensations Alvin, Simon and Theodore end up in the care of Dave Seville's twenty-something nephew Toby. The boys must put aside music super stardom to return to school, and are tasked with saving the school's music program by winning the $25,000 prize in a battle of the bands. But the Chipmunks unexpectedly meet their match in three singing chipmunks known as The Chipettes - Brittany, Eleanor and Jeanette. Romantic and musical sparks are ignited when the Chipmunks and Chipettes square off.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter