This weekend marks the second annual Women’s March.

While I’m not an American, I am a feminist. And as a feminist, I fully support, in all manner of ways, the winds of change that endeavor to raise women’s voices across society from politics to business to cultural pursuits.

I make an effort to bring this perspective and awareness to every aspect of my life including the cultural choices I make. Yet, when I account for the culture in my life this very weekend, I am met with a stark realization: in an uncommon turn, there isn’t a woman’s voice or story among what I’m listening to, watching, or reading at the moment.

It gave me pause.

As I sit here in this awareness and consider how I can change it going forward, I do take a wee smidge of comfort in knowing that I consistently consider the world from a feminist perspective and I bring this lens to bear on what I listen to, what I watch, and what I read.

After seeing PHANTOM THREAD yesterday, I find myself considering the film from a feminist standpoint: I am fascinated by the two women characters that give the film its balance and shape. While being quite delighted with the film from tip to tail what I find troublesome is how little the chatter around the film mentions the powerful characters found in Alma and Cyril. And I say this as a long-time fan of both the film’s director and of lead actor Daniel Day Lewis. Yes, the method man DDL is on point, but for the love of all that is good, by my account the women are the true standouts as they manipulate the balance of power at every turn. I’m still working through my thoughts on the matter — and I’m hoping to carve out some time to write about it after a second viewing — but the provocative display of feminine power in PHANTOM THREAD is ripe for consideration. Without getting into spoiler territory, my point is that how we discuss and engage with our culture shapes it going forward. Something I’m acutely aware of this weekend.

Before I indulge myself in a rambling post where I work out what I think about this specific film, I’ll leave it at this: for me it’s not enough to pop on my pussy hat, knitted for me by a dear pal, and march. I can support meaningful change in culture through being aware of what I consume and making consistent daily choices that support women’s voices. Time to add a few films to my 52 Films by Women list.

Odds n’ Sods

• What I’m listening to: Jonny Greenwood’s PHANTOM THREAD OST
• What I’m watching: Nathan Barley (pre-Black Mirror Charlie Brooker)
• What I’m reading: The Wandering Fire by Guy Gavriel Kay