Watch Sheilas: 28 Years On

Sheilas: 28 Years On is a powerful documentary that explores the experiences of a group of women activists who fought for women's rights in New Zealand during the 1970s. Released in 2004, the film is a follow-up to the groundbreaking 1977 documentary Sheilas, which chronicled the early days of the women's liberation movement in New Zealand.

The film is directed by Merata Mita, one of New Zealand's most important documentary filmmakers, and features interviews with four of the women who were featured in the original film. Donna Awatere-Huata, Miriam Cameron, Sandi Hall, and Merata Mita herself reflect on their experiences as activists, feminists, and women living in a male-dominated society.

The film begins by providing some historical context for the women's liberation movement in New Zealand. It explores the societal and cultural factors that contributed to the movement's growth, including the impact of American civil rights and women's rights movements, and political upheavals in New Zealand.

The main focus of the film, however, is on the personal stories of the four women interviewed. Each woman discusses their experiences in detail, reflecting on the challenges they faced and the progress they made in fighting for women's rights.

Donna Awatere-Huata, for example, discusses her work as an activist in the Maori community, highlighting the importance of intersectional feminism and the need to address the specific issues facing Maori women. Miriam Cameron reflects on her work as a journalist, discussing the difficulties she faced as a woman in a male-dominated field.

Sandi Hall, meanwhile, talks about her experience as a lesbian in a society that was hostile to homosexuality. She reflects on the importance of the women's liberation movement in creating spaces for queer women and fighting against discrimination.

Throughout the film, the women also reflect on their relationships with each other and the wider women's liberation movement. They discuss the debates and disagreements that arose within the movement, as well as the sense of solidarity and support that was fostered.

Overall, Sheilas: 28 Years On is a powerful and moving portrait of a group of women who made significant contributions to the feminist movement in New Zealand. The film is a testament to the importance of storytelling and archiving in preserving the histories and legacies of social movements. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in women's rights, social justice, and the power of collective action.

Sheilas: 28 Years On is a documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes.