8 Documentaries on Masculinity, Patriarchy, and Change
If you’ve been paying attention to Next Gen Men for a while, then you know we love to read (cue Jake telling you about BOOK Club ad infinitum) — but we also love to watch documentaries and movies!
Here are eight documentaries about patriarchy, masculinity, gender equity, and change that we’ve seen (plus one that we are patiently waiting to see). Some focus on violence, others on mental health and relationships; some zoom in on the personal, while others zoom out on the political. We promise they’ll have you fired up either way.
We’ll also link you to their trailers and where you can find the full versions!
The Feminist in Cell Block Y (2018)
This documentary tells the story of Richie Reseda and other incarcerated and formerly incarcerated men (and those who love them) as they unlearn messages about patriarchy within a California prison's walls. Inspired by Black feminist literature, Richie Reseda & Charles Berry began a program for their peers — Success Stories — which is still ongoing to this day. If you want to understand how empathy and accountability can work hand in hand, get ready to be truly inspired by their example.
By sharing the stories of trauma, growth, and healing of men who are often the most villified in society — those who have been criminalized — this documentary is deeply humanizing. It’s moving, powerful, and highlights the healing that’s possible when we work with our peers to confront and challenge patriarchy’s hold on us & our culture.
Watch the entire film free on YouTube:
A Better Man (2017)
Content Warning: Intimate Partner Violence
What does it look like to take responsibility for abusing the people closest to us? This raw, personal, and profound documentary tells the story of Attiya and her ex-boyfriend Steve — twenty years after their relationship ended. Throughout their relationship, Steve had used various forms of violence against Attiya, controlling her, hurting her, and deeply impacting her sense of safety, self-worth, and mental well-being. Attiya was able to leave the relationship and seek support & healing… but what happened to Steve? Did he change? Twenty years after their relationship ended, Attiya asked if Steve would sit down with her to discuss his abusive behaviour and explore healing and accountability together.
From the film’s website:
“Illuminating a unique paradigm for domestic violence prevention, A Better Man offers a fresh and nuanced look at the healing and revelation that can happen for everyone involved when men take responsibility for their abuse. It also empowers audience members to play new roles in challenging domestic violence, whether it’s in their own relationships or as part of a broader movement for social change”.
If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, or healing from it, there is help available.
Stream the full film for free through the NFB.
The Mask You Live In (2014)
How does patriarchy negatively impact men and boys emotionally, mentally, and physically? How are loneliness, isolation, suicide, and violence linked to a narrow definition of what it means to “be a man” in America? How do racism and classism intersect with patriarchy to produce the school-to-prison pipeline for Black and brown boys? What does this do to their life chances?
Hear from boys themselves and experts in psychology, sociology, and across fields like sports, media and education about the impact of rigid gender norms on America’s boys and men. Learn about the work — both academic and community-centered — that’s happening to break these cycles of pain and violence in the USA.
This documentary was the first succinct telling of the impact of patriarchy on men and boys’ friendships, mental wellness, and life chances that the team at NGM had ever seen. With an impressive array of experts, and the vulnerability of the men and boys who shared their stories, the documentary makes a strong case for improving the lives of men & boys by abolishing patriarchy.
Featuring the work of the Ever Forward Club, and researchers like Judy Chu and Niobe Way.
The Man Card (2020)
This documentary explores how patriarchal masculinity has been used in politics for generations — particularly as it pertains to the American presidency. As much as the right accuses the left of “identity politics,” folks on the right have a long-standing tradition of framing progressives as “soft” or “emasculated,” in contrast to right-wing candidates who are “tough” and “real men.” Identity politics are still at play, it’s just the identity in question is that of white, cisgender, heterosexual men. So how does this play out? How does it impact women’s chances of winning political seats? How does it impact racialized or queer candidates? Are we destined to see more and more “strongmen” demagogue types in the White House? Or will we be able to shape a new narrative of masculinity in politics?
An important documentary to remind us of the very high stakes in changing our culture and challenging patriarchy. We have a long road ahead of us to increased equity, safety, justice, and peace — and politics play a part.
Roll Red Roll (2019)
Content Warning: Sexual Violence; Violence Toward Children
This documentary details the investigation and trial of the 2012 Steubenville rape case which gained national and international attention due to exposing the victim-blaming of rape survivors that is so common in the criminal-legal system and outside of it. In the 2012 Steubenville rape case, a sixteen-year-old girl was raped by two of her male peers in front of three other boys — the boys were football players at their local high school. The boys took photos and videos of the assault and shared them online. The documentary explains what happened, how the case gained notoriety, how the adults in the town dealt with it, and what happened to the teenagers involved — all against the backdrop of patriarchy, “sports worship,” an adversarial legal system, and rape culture.
A heads-up that this film can be difficult to watch. It will stick with you long after it’s over. If you or someone you know could use support, you can use Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence 1-866-403-8000 (or chat here). Outside of Alberta, check out the resources from the Ending Violence Association of Canada.
Sadly, it’s no longer on Netflix. Rent it for $5.00 on Google.
Beyond Men & Masculinity (2020)
This documentary dives into masculinity’s impact from the personal to the political across the globe. The filmmaker takes us from Palestine to Germany, and the US to Japan — from therapy sessions to the gym, hearing from academics, healers, and activists. Exploring themes like mental health, gender identity, cultural change, and politics — the film explores how patriarchal masculinity shapes men’s experiences and everyone else’s experiences of men.
Featuring Ashanti Branch (Ever Forward Club), Judy Chu, Carol Gilligan, and Terry Real.
To Kill A Tiger (2022)
Content Warning: Sexual Violence; Violence Toward Children
This documentary from Canadian filmmaker Nisha Pahuja follows a family in India seeking justice for their young daughter after three men sexually assaulted her. A story of courage, strength, defiance, healing, and ultimately, justice.
We’re looking forward to seeing this one — one of our Next Gen Menbers checked it out in Edmonton and said it was a compelling look at who is involved in pursuing justice and the role that they play: the father’s love and persistence, the advocacy of women’s rights organizations, the filmmakers to tell the story, and of course, the courage of survivors of sexual violence.
If you or someone you know could use support healing from sexual violence, you can use Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence 1-866-403-8000 (or chat here). Outside of Alberta, check out the resources from the Ending Violence Association of Canada.
The film played in a few theatres across Canada at the start of February, and doesn’t appear to be streaming online just yet. Stay tuned to the NFB for news about where to watch the film!
Boys Will Be…Themselves (2022)
So we know there are many problems with patriarchy and how it impacts our mental wellness, our relationships to one another, and our world. So… what now? What does the future of masculinity look like? How do we get there?
Through conversations with boys, men, and nonbinary people of all ages and many different backgrounds, Canadian filmmaker Dylan Rhys Howard turns the mirror outward to see how different people’s experiences of masculinity have shaped them — in ways both positive and negative. Turning that mirror inward, he asks the same questions of himself and his own family. Interspersed with the stories of grassroots leaders, community-builders, and academic researchers, Howard explores what the future could look like if we were increasingly free to be ourselves.
We’re a bit biased about this one since it features so many of our friends from across Canada! This hopeful documentary paints a picture of the shifting conversation on gender and masculinity in Canada, and was brought to life in part by our very own community manager, Veronika.
Featuring the work of Shift: the Project to End Domestic Violence, the Black Daddies Club, Higher Unlearning, Men’s Sheds, Pints with the Pack, and Next Gen Men.
Stream it for free on CBC Gem any time (if you’re in Canada!)
Watch it with us on March 12th from anywhere in the world.