‘An Army Of Women’ Review – An Inspirational Story Of Defiant Persistence [SXSW 2024]

One individual can make a difference, but a group can change a mindset and affect the culture at large. This is the framing of the documentary An Army of Women. After each one survived horrific sexual assaults and then endured the traumatic aftermath, they band together to fight city hall. Once forgotten and put down by the system, An Army of Women shows the battle to hold law enforcement accountable. What is more than a film about a lawsuit illustrates the mettle of courageous women. On one hand, they are fighting for accountability in Austin, Texas, but also symbolically for accountability worldwide. This is an intimate portrait of a movement and an inspiring story of survival.

Director Julie Lunde Lillesæter is no stranger to showcasing the fight for women’s rights and equality. In what might be her most effective film to date, she raises those voices unheard over the shouts and drama—allowing stories of truth and consequence to shine. She constructs a canvas with both intimacy and introspection. She is profiling a group of women bonded by trauma but united in their unyielding fight to seek justice. This story is of tremendous consequence due to its ability to bring the audience inside the room and have a first-hand account of the struggle, the endurance, and ultimately, the triumph.

The film contextualizes the fight. In Austin, there are 1,000 reported sexual assaults per year. It is a staggering number but made worse because the actual number is 10,000. Prepare for another gut punch. From 2016-2017, the number of sexual assault cases taken to trial was…ONE. Now, these facts are not meant to provide a historical overview of Austin’s legal system but are the stirring basis for the lawsuit and the compelling argument this film highlights.

An Army of Women tells the individual stories of how three women, Amy, Marina, and Hanna, were victims of rape, and all three of their cases were dismissed by the Austin Police Department. Left discarded by the system, they find solace in each other’s stories. Armed with courage, they argue that sexual assault isn’t protected because it’s a crime that predominately affects women. In the ground-breaking lawsuit, their story is one of continued trial by fire. Their unifying story is deep in the human spirit: Resilience.

Their stories are horrifying in their own right, but perhaps the more horrific aspect is the aftermath of their respective assaults. Those in authority refuse to see them or feign deafness to their cries and protests. This is a story of unflappable courage and dogged persistence.

Early in the film, Marina speaks candidly about the fight. “It feels like survivors can’t win this system no matter what we do.” Her anger is palpable, but so too is her heartbreak at what is another setback in the pursuit of justice. Lillesæter brings us into the women’s homes and allows the audience to see their vulnerabilities. This effort is not for dramatic purposes but to show genuine and raw emotion. This journey is wrought with false starts, defeats, and relived trauma.

The film reels through the number of days since the lawsuit’s filing – 1,320 days from start to finish. It is a staggering amount in any capacity, but one further enhanced when examined in the context of the women’s suffering. The film is unrelenting in showing the passage of time. Time is a reminder that while this case has a victory, it is a small one in a much larger fight.

Lillesæter dispenses with fanfare by the end of An Army of Women. The film is masterful at showcasing this story, but its most significant effect is the clarion call for change. The film makes no bones about the struggle ahead but does its part, offering a blueprint that may inspire others.

The fight continues. It is carried on across this country and the world by brave individuals who refuse to stand in silence. “… there’s an army of women that are really here trying to fight for change.” And now there is this film, doing what the best of documentaries can strive to achieve: make a lasting impact.

An Army Of Women had its World Premiere at SXSW 2024 in the Documentary Feature Competition section.

Director: Julie Lunde Lillesæter

Rated: NR

Runtime: 84m