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7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. For Woman About a Woman remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
"For Woman About a Woman" isn't your usual Friday night popcorn flick, let's just make that clear. If you're into social history, especially how women were 'understood' in an earlier era, then this peculiar popular science film is a must-see. However, if you're hoping for drama, modern scientific accuracy, or anything resembling a narrative, you'll probably find yourself hitting stop pretty quickly. It's really more of an artifact than pure entertainment.
The premise itself is simple enough: a film meant to educate women about their own bodies and how to navigate life. But the way it does this? That's where it gets interesting, and often, a little cringey. You can tell it’s from a different time.
Evgeniya Grygorovych, who both wrote and appears in this, feels less like a performer and more like a very earnest lecturer. She walks us through these topics with a certain authoritative calm, which is… something. She really owns the material.
You get these diagrams, right? Simple, maybe a bit crude, but they get the job done. Or, well, they *try* to. Some of the anatomical explanations feel so generalized, you wonder if they just hoped the audience wouldn't ask too many follow-up questions. 🤷♀️
The film doesn't just stick to biology. It ventures into 'women's behavior in everyday life.' This is where the real time-capsule stuff kicks in. Suddenly, it's less about science and more about social expectations. It’s a definite shift.
There's a segment on pregnancy that feels particularly telling. It's full of gentle but firm suggestions, almost like a whispered guide on how to be the ideal pregnant woman. You can almost feel the weight of expectation hanging in the air.
One moment, it shows a woman carefully folding laundry. Then it cuts to her calmly resting, then back to some vague biological illustration. The connection is sometimes a bit of a stretch, making you go, 'Wait, what was that about?' The editing feels a little scattered sometimes.
The advice on postpartum life, too. It’s all about recovery and returning to a 'normal' routine, but it largely glosses over the emotional toll or the actual physical challenges. It's very much a keep calm and carry on vibe. Not much room for struggle there.
I noticed the way it frames women's roles. It's not explicitly prescriptive, but the subtle visual cues and the emphasis on certain 'duties' are pretty loud. It’s all about maintaining a household, raising children, and then… well, being healthy enough to keep doing that. Almost like a checklist.
There are these little pauses after certain statements. Like the film is waiting for you to nod in agreement. It makes the whole thing feel a bit like a polite but firm lecture you can't interrupt. No room for debate!
It’s fascinating to see what was considered 'popular science' then. It’s a mix of actual biological facts (simplified, of course) and a whole lot of societal conditioning dressed up as helpful guidance. Quite the blend.
You can't watch this without thinking about how far medical understanding and gender roles have come. Or, in some subtle ways, how some underlying expectations might still linger, just dressed up differently. It's a bit unsettling, actually.
It reminded me a bit of some old public service announcements, but stretched into a longer format. Not quite as dramatic as The Broadway Bubble, but similarly rooted in its era's sensibilities. You get that distinct historical flavor.
So, is it good? It's good for what it is: a historical document. As a film to *enjoy*? Probably not in the traditional sense. But for a thoughtful watch, especially if you're interested in the history of science education or gender studies, it absolutely delivers. It’s a curious piece.
Just don't expect any thrilling plot twists or deep character arcs. This is pure, unfiltered didacticism from a bygone era. And that, in itself, is kind of thrilling in its own quiet way. Definitely worth a watch for the right audience. 👀
IMDb —
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