'The Kitchen' Reminds Us That Women Are The Doers & The Changemakers Of Society
I am not a movie critic or some girl who is used to hanging out a Hollywood premieres just steps away from a movie star like Tiffany Haddish, but somehow I ended up at the Chinese Theatre among a sea of white people to see a movie with three female leads (all of which I am long-time fans of) one who happened to look like me.
When I was I invited out to cover this premiere one thing stuck out at me, I hadn't heard anything about this film. With three heavy hitters and a badass woman making her directorial debut, I would have at least Googled to find out more about the film.
I hadn't seen a trailer. A movie poster. A billboard. Nothing, and I live in Los Angeles.
This made me ask the question: Is Hollywood still toting the narrative that if you aren't white and male, no one wants to see you on-screen unless you're hot by European standards? I can't give a definitive yes or no on that, but based on my experience, knowing nothing about what turned out to be a movie beyond what I expected (in a good way), I can walk away with a maybe.
'The Kitchen'
The Kitchen is an adaptation of a comic book miniseries from DC Vertigo about three married women living in New York City's Hell's Kitchen in the late 1970s who become mobsters after their husbands are sentenced to four years in jail.
One of the changes from the comic book is that three heroines of the story were white women but director Andrea Berloff made a mindful change to the story creating space for Ruby who Tiffany Haddish brings to life.
Just as a sat in my seat after running down Hollywood Boulevard in my faux red leather dress (think Cruella de Vil, but make it fashion), and Tibi heels to make it the theatre by 7:20 at 7:17 the house lights went down, and then I saw Tiffany Haddish, Melissa McCarthy, and Elizabeth Moss standing right in front of me. Okay, maybe not right in front of me (because I was given a seat at the back of theatre), but I was breathing the same air.
To be honest, as someone who is never starstruck, it was a serial moment for me. One that I don't take lightly and will always remember.
Before the lights went down and the film rolled, Tiffany Haddish said a prayer. I guess even movie stars get nervous about sharing their work.
As the movie began, I felt myself judging it.
So Ruby (Tiffany's character) is going to be the sidekick while one of the white women (Melissa McCarthy's character) saves the day? I've seen this movie so many times I almost checked out, but then Andrea Berloff got in the driver's seat and took a hard, fast left. A left so sharp, I closed my eyes and held my breath because I was stressed for the characters even if they were mobbing the street.
I can't say too much without giving the story away, but the messaging of The Kitchen is very clear.
We (women) are the do-ers, the changemakers, and the muscle even when the patriarchy tries to tell us otherwise.
'The Kitchen'
If I am honest, some of the movie's messaging felt rooted in white feminism, but the ending of the film (which I did not see coming) made it up for it.
I have watched Tiffany Haddish, Melissa McCarthy, and Elizabeth Moss slay their most memorable roles (in Girl's Trip, Bridesmaids, The Handmaid's Tale respectively) and this was a departure for each of them which was so fun to watch. If you like mob movies, strong female leads, and writing that allows those leads to shine, this movie is worth a watch. One little disclaimer I will give for those who don't usually watch movies with violence, there will be a few parts where you'll want to close your eyes (you'll see them coming… actually there is one point when you won't, and it'll break your heart).
As the credits rolled and the audience clapped, I realized if we want to see more films starring and directed by women, we've got to support them.
The Kitchen is out in theaters this weekend. Watch the trailer for the film below.
THE KITCHEN - Official Trailerwww.youtube.com
Featured image by Getty Images
Bianca Lambert is a proud Atlanta native soaking up the Los Angeles sun. She is the founder of Mae B: a stationery company for women of color and a digital content creator on a mission to elevate the voices of women of color everywhere.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Adelina Winfield Is Embracing The Beauty In The Aging Process
Anti-aging has been a new age phenomenon. We can barely scroll on our social media pages without being encouraged to try a new anti-aging product. It’s no wonder the anxiety of maturing is infiltrating the minds of young women every day. Adelina Winfield, known as The Fly Granny on Instagram, is among several maturing women working to change how we view aging today. Her fashion, skincare, and grey positivity journey has inspired women of all ages to embrace the journey.
Online and in-person, Winfield comes across as confident and truly comfortable in her skin, but she wastes no time letting us know it has been a journey.
“I began feeling the shift in my age when I turned 40. My body was going through many changes, and I didn’t feel youthful or beautiful anymore,” says Winfield. Winfield is open about her journey through menopause, describing it as a time she had to “relearn herself.” The side effects of menopause can be vigorous and isolating for women. According to a study conducted by Post Reproductive Health, 94.1% of women were never taught about menopausal symptoms. This is largely due to women keeping their menopausal and aging experiences private. Winfield says, “No one was discussing these topics at the time, and I felt lost.”
"I began feeling the shift in my age when I turned 40. My body was going through many changes, and I didn’t feel youthful or beautiful anymore."
Courtesy
The next few years were growing pains for Winfield. A divorce, menopause, and becoming an empty nester were just a few jarring life changes. As time went on, she began to date and feel comfortable in her body, but there was one challenge Winfield had been avoiding - her grey hair. “I had been dyeing my hair for decades. My son would try to convince me to go grey and embrace my inner ‘storm,’ but I refused in fear of looking older.” That mindset changed on a family trip to Italy. Winfield opted for silver faux locks that caused her to attract attention from bystanders. “People complimented my hair the entire trip, which gave me the confidence to let it go [grey].”
Simultaneously, Winfield had been sharing her grey hair journey online and found what she calls a “silver sister community.” Her story reached a demographic of thousands of mature women who could finally relate to an influencer who shared their experiences. Winfield had also found other maturing content creators redefining what life after 60 looks like. “We no longer say ‘anti-aging’ in our community; we call it ‘pro-aging,’” she says with immense joy. The idea of pro-aging brings ease to my millennial ears as I listen to Winfield’s story.
"We no longer say ‘anti-aging’ in our community; we call it ‘pro-aging.'"
Courtesy
Millennial and Gen-Z women have become deeply obsessed with holding on to their youth. This is mainly due to the beauty industry constantly pushing products against the aging process. Additionally, most beauty brands are not mindful about who they are marketing to. The topic of young girls under the age of 18 buying anti-aging products has found its way online.
This caused Dove to move the conversation forward by creating the #FaceOf10Ten campaign. Encouraging young girls everywhere to embrace their youth. It’s time beauty brands begin to provide age restrictions on their products, and as a society, we need to have more conversations around pro-aging instead of anti-aging.
“I want women to know that life doesn’t end at 40 or 50; it’s just getting started.”
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