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The Unloved, Part 43: Below the Belt & Hundra

Scout Tafoya’s latest installment in his video essay series about maligned masterworks concerns two films: women wrestling film “Below the Belt” (1980) directed by Robert Fowler, and woman warrior movie “Hundra” (1983) as directed by Matt Cimber. The two movies are brought back into the spotlight with the recent success of “Wonder Woman,” with Tafoya pointing out how these movies had the same values and worth long before Patty Jenkins’ blockbuster smash. They are both stories of strong, distinct heroes, and offer a sight that continues to be rare in a male-dominated industry. As Tafoya writes what he loves about them most: “They gently bask in the sight of women becoming friends and healing from the sting of masculine oppression and loneliness; the way they learn that the world can be beautiful if they come to rely on themselves. In these movies, real friendship means believing in each other, believing that we can reach our potential and live freely." 

The Unloved - Below The Belt & Hundra from Scout Tafoya on Vimeo.

To watch more of Scout Tafoya's video essays from his series The Unloved, click here.

Scout Tafoya

Scout Tafoya is a critic and filmmaker who writes for and edits the arts blog Apocalypse Now and directs both feature length and short films.

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