Fragile outside, tough inside

Whoever said women are frail and fragile? Think again.

Hilary Swank’s characters in Boys Don’t Cry and Million Dollar Baby, which won for her two Oscar and Golden Globe Best Actress trophies each, will surely protest.

If being fragile means being dainty, fine and sensitive to issues concerning their life, individuality and family, women are indeed fragile.

But when the going gets tough, women rally for what they believe in. When push becomes shove, they often shove.

In another seemingly stereotype strong woman role, Hilary plays suffragette Alice Paul in the compelling HBO original drama Iron Jawed Angels, which premieres tonight at 8 on HBO.

Hilary reprises another sterling performance about a woman confronted by her personal beliefs and the dictates of society. This time, the actress makes a political statement that women are as strong, intelligent and principled as their male counterparts.

Thus, women are men, too, in the fight for equality and freedom.

Iron Jawed Angels is a feminist film which deserves to be screened in any festival that showcases the "Adam" side of "Eve," so to speak.

The film is a story about the life and struggles of women suffragists in early 19th century America. It also chronicles the motivations that push them to secure the 19th Amendment, which is about the women’s right to vote.

Although women were given the chance to grow and work in that era, they felt they should take part in the affairs of society and have a voice in good governance by choosing a leader who respects their rights and taps their potentials as individuals.

As the movie goes back to that part of US history, scenarios of women’s rights can still be seen and felt. At present though, issues are softened.

Iron Jawed Angels reflects the medieval concept of women. Regardless of color, culture and concerns, women are expected to be domesticated and house-bound. They should act prim and proper, take care of their spouse and children, and always be at the beck and call of their men.

Men, children and home then defined their life. Gender still remains the biggest issue of the movie.

Iron Jawed Angels also reveals that beyond the soft mien of women lies a true-blue warrior (ala Joan of Arc). Suffragettes looked for ways to push their cause for their right to vote. They also attended social gatherings to find personalities who eventually supported and played an influential part in their advocacy.

They held street talks to increase suffrage awareness and encourage women to go out of their homes.

In a scene where suffragettes paraded in the streets of Washington, D.C. with a winged woman symbolizing the voice for Votes for Women, a man yelled at a young lady and said, "Girl, go home to your mom!" She replied, "My mom is here!"

This highlight in the movie shows the then threatening bias of men against women.

The scene resulted in a riot showing men throwing bottles at parade participants, pulling and stopping women not to go anywhere else. This foreshadows the more challenging, poignant scenes in the movie.

The movie also describes the different molds of women. The strong-willed can give up marriage and motherhood for their cause. Others are conservative and content on blindly following what the norms say. Some are indecisive but are willing to give up everything even if it costs them their lives.

The movie stars Swank, Angelica Huston, Frances O’Connor, Julia Ormond, Bob Gunton and Patrick Dempsey. Director is Katja von Garnier.

Again, women are men, too. They have the right to self-expression, among many other things. Freedon happens when people learn to let go of their prejudices. Co-existence comes soon after.