Born in Flames (1983)

Set ten years after the most peaceful revolution in United States history, a revolution in which a socialist government gains power, this films presents a dystopia in which the issues of ... See full summary »

Director:

Lizzie Borden

Writers:

Lizzie Borden (screenplay), Ed Bowes (story)

Stars:

Honey, Adele Bertei, Jean Satterfield

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Honey	...	Honey
Adele Bertei	...	Isabel
Jean Satterfield	...	Adelaide Norris
Florynce Kennedy	...	Zella (as Flo Kennedy)
Becky Johnston	...	Newspaper Editor
Pat Murphy	...	Newspaper Editor
Kathryn Bigelow	...	Newspaper Editor
Hillary Hurst	...	Leader of Women's Army Hillary Hurst
Sheila McLaughlin	...	Other Leader
Marty Pottenger	...	Other Leader / Woman at Site
Lynne Jones	...	Other Leader
Ron Vawter	...	FBI Agent
John Coplans	...	Chief
John Rudolph	...	TV Newscaster
Warner Schreiner	...	TV Newscaster

Storyline

Set ten years after the most peaceful revolution in United States history, a revolution in which a socialist government gains power, this films presents a dystopia in which the issues of many progressive groups - minorities, liberals, gay rights organizations, feminists - are ostensibly dealt with by the government, and yet there are still problems with jobs, with gender issues, with governmental preference and violence. In New York City, in this future time, a group of women decide to organize and mobilize, to take the revolution farther than any man - and many women - ever imagined in their lifetimes.

---

Plot Keywords:

revolution | feminist | new york city | future | dystopia | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 November 1983 (Australia)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Near the end of the film, the beginning of a TV news broadcast is abruptly interrupted by a message from the Women's Army. The opening animation for the news broadcast was the one used for New York TV station WNEW-TV (now WNYW), channel 5.

---

Quotes

Isabel: Good morning. This is Isabel broadcasting from the new Phoenix Regazza Radio station. I'd like to open up with a statement on behalf of Adalede Norris and the Women's Army. Her murder serves as a warning for women everywhere for the struggle we face. And the truth will be heard and the story must and shall be told. It is not only the story of women's oppression, it is the story of sexism, racism, bigotry, nationalism, false religion and the blasphemy of the state controlled church, the story of...

---

Soundtracks

"Born in Flames"
Written by The Red Crayola
Performed by The Red Crayola

User Reviews

Inspiring and important.

Even almost 20 years after its release, "Born In Flames" retains its sense of urgency and immediacy. This is due both to the energy of the performances, soundtrack and direction and to the fact that most of the women's demands in the film - including equality in the workplace, safety from harrasment and sexual crimes, and equal representation in government - still have not been met.

One of the film's greatest achievements is its representation of the divisions and debates within feminism. The film does not try to offer a single solution or plan of action as a definitive best way forward and so avoids tempting over-simplification of a complex set of issues. Rather than negative or unhelpful, I found this approach incredibly refreshing in a medium rife with happy endings and simple, fictional solutions.

"Born In Flames" doesn't have an answer, but it has many, many questions and many, many voices. These voices and the regular delivery of discourse straight to camera and audience has regularly led to critical disapproval and claims that it is "overly polemical". I don't find "Born in Flames" overly polemical. I don't agree with many of the opinions and strategies given voice and action in the film, but I found the experience of being directly addressed by a female character on issues that are largely invisible in mainstream cinema energising and inspiring. This film won't change the world, but it made me start writing for my fanzine again and get on the phone to my bandmates to get a practice organised. Enough films, debate, writing, and noise, and we'll get somewhere.