Born in Flames

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

2.5K

YOUR RATING

Jean Satterfield in Born in Flames (1983)

Play trailer1:16

1 Video

14 Photos

Dystopian Sci-Fi Drama Sci-Fi

Set ten years after the most peaceful revolution in United States history, it presents a dystopia in which the issues of many groups - minorities, liberals, gay rights organizations, feminis... Read allSet ten years after the most peaceful revolution in United States history, it presents a dystopia in which the issues of many groups - minorities, liberals, gay rights organizations, feminists - are dealt with by the government.Set ten years after the most peaceful revolution in United States history, it presents a dystopia in which the issues of many groups - minorities, liberals, gay rights organizations, feminists - are dealt with by the government.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

2.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins total

Videos1

Trailer 1:16

Born in Flames

Photos14

+ 7

User reviews24

6.52.4K

Featured reviews

5jellopuke

Ideas more than a movie

There's a lot of talking about political ideas in here, but not a lot of movie. It's a mash up of short clips of big talk with amateurish acting and stock footage and poorly shot blips. There are some still valid ideas and messages, but it comes across more like a university thesis than anything that you'd want to watch. Important more than watchable.

8michaelbrock

An amazing time capsule

This film has some amazing visuals by virtue of being a time caspule to pre gentrified NYC. The plot is secondary to its actual ideas but still coherent and hits home.

The music is brilliant too and and when you add all this up, it gives you something a 100 million studio film would not be able to replicate. Worth watching.

7Jeremy_Urquhart

Still feels ahead of its time in many ways

A mockumentary about an ultimate timeline where the US became a socialist state that did very little to benefit the disadvantaged, and a couple of organisations that aim to overthrow the system in an attempt to enact real change.

For 1983, this is so radical that it still probably would feel radical to most viewers in 2022. It's pretty bleak, hopeless, and messy, but I think there's a lot of truth here. I think it successfully argues that there'd still be a lot of work to do to make a society healthy beyond making changes within the already established system. If it's a starting point, sure, but Born In Flames says that's not enough.

The film's probably right. The US hasn't even gone as far to even be a socialist-democratic country, and if it ever did, they may well deal with some of the problems this film depicts.

I wish the movie was overall a little more focused- there's some repetition and a few too man characters, and there's one song they play every 15 or so minutes, which drove me a bit nuts. But I do really love what it's going for and how forward-thinking it is (and how well it's aged), and the execution overall is still pretty solid.

Also: that final shot is crazy.

7rgombert

Strangely prescient

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.

10litlcreaux

An important movie for all women to see

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.

Trivia
Kathryn Bigelow, in her screen acting debut, appears as the character Kathy Larsen, a newspaper editor.

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 environmental poisoning and nuclear warfare. Of the powerful over the powerless, for the sake of sick and depraved manipulations that abuse and corner the human soul like a rat in a cage. It is all of our responsibilities as individuals and together to examine and to re-examine everything, leaving no stones unturned. Every word that we utter, every action and every thought. We are all, women and men, the prophets of this new age. And for those of us who would be safer in the sensibilities of racism, seperatism and martyrdom: if you can't help us towards building this living church, then step out of the way. The scope and capabilities of human love are as wide and encompassing as this vast universe that we all swirl in. One for all, and all for one-ness. This fight will not end in terrorism and violence. It will not end in a nuclear holocaust. It begins in the celebration of the rites of alchemy. The transformation of shit into gold. The illumination of dark chaotic night into light. This is the time of sweet, sweet change for us all. This is Isabel from Phoenix Regazza Radio, signing off until tomorrow.