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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.

Not only have I had the luck to see this movie, I had the privilege of receiving it from "Honey" one of the lead actors. This movie is so important as it brings to life the struggle of not only women who were active in the 70's, but that the issues they brought forth still continue. If one thinks we have come a long way in overcoming gender discrimination, then take a fresh look at this film. I particularly appreciate the feminist analysis that seems to be missing today from women's activism and politics. Every activist ought to view and take heed of this movies message. This film parallels much of the social climate women endure today. It reminds one of the radical ideas that fired the women's movement and how they might be reignited in todays world.It is timeless, yet carries the rawness of movies made in the 70's. I highly recommend this film.

An interesting and timely movie for 2019. I found it particularly interesting that the writers of this movie, in 1981, we able to craft dialogue for the "Men's movement" that is exactly what the alt-right men of today are spouting.

Made over six years between 1977-83, this film reminded me strongly of the films labelled the No Wave. These were underground lo-fi movies made primarily in New York in the late 70's / early 80's. They often had political messages and were uncompromisingly uncommercial. I'm not sure but I would think that Lizzie Borden's feature Born in Flames must surely qualify as one, as this is a wilfully challenging and direct bit of underground cinema which is a rallying cry to women generally. It has a sci-fi premise. In the near future, America is celebrating the tenth anniversary of a socialist revolution but despite this, many issues remain the same, such as racism, homophobia and sexism. A militant group called the Women's Army have been formed, they take direct action to fight for women's rights. Their leader is arrested for a minor offense and mysteriously dies in custody in prison, leading to further revolution.

I'll come out and admit it straight away that I didn't fully enjoy this one. Not on ideological grounds but merely because I did not find the film fully engaging due to its fragmented experimental presentation. Having said that, I do respect what it was doing and it does have an unmistakable energy to it which I found interesting. It's clearly low-budget as underground films always are but it definitely has ambition for sure. It takes the form of a pseudo-documentary and mixes in some real news footage in with staged material. The actors are all amateur but this does ensure the feel remains more radical and less watered down. It focuses on feminist politics primarily and it does have to be said that many of the issues discussed still exist today so it does still have a relevance in terms of what it is saying. I also enjoyed the punk soundtrack which had a sort of proto riot grrrl feel to it. So, while I cannot pretend to have fully engaged with this one, I do respect it and admit it has a certain unique feel.

A 1983 release of a future society where women stage a rebellion against the male dominated world they live in. More of an agitprop distillation of a dramatic 'what if' of a time to come w/the immediacy of a found footage documentary/social message screed, finds women fed up w/the status quo focusing on an outspoken gay, black woman who's a DJ who fills her airwaves w/the vitriol & anger (justified since we see men alternately trying to rape their counterparts or dismiss them from the workplace w/o a justified rationale) spurring a movement (the intended rape is thwarted by a phalanx of 10 speed riding Valkyries blowing whistles). When the DJ is arrested (the powers that be fear her power is becoming uncontrollable) she commits suicide in custody which sets the scene for a guerilla movement (replete w/automatic weapons) culminating in the destruction of the transmission antennas on top of the World Trade Center (eerily foreshadowing the '93 & 9/11 attacks). Yes, the film is rough w/all the odd ends kept in for flavor & texture but it touches on so many totems of protest (the metoo movement, Black Lives Matter, et al) one can forgive the unpolished sheen of the presentation. No big stars to remark about but genre fave, the late, great Ron Vawter shows up as a power broker out to derail the outspoken radio DJ, writer/actor Eric Bogosian has a quick scene as a TV tech & character actor Mark Boone Junior pops up as a perv accosting a woman on a train.