Film

“Dead Women Can’t Vote”: The ‘Suffragette’ Premiere Was Upstaged By Protests About Domestic Violence

Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter have called it "the perfect response to the film".

by Meg Watson  8 October 2015

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Gearing up to its official release, Suffragette has had a very controversial week. First — during her press tour for the film which celebrates women’s strength and empowerment during the fight for the vote in the late 19th century — Meryl Streep shied away from declaring herself a feminist. Then, the rest of her white co-stars showed off accidentally inflammatory promo shirts which maybe, kind of, sort of declared their allegiance to confederate slave-owners.

Now, the UK premiere of Suffragette has been flooded with hundreds of protesters. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Not protesting the film itself, the action was instead staged by a feminist group called Sisters Uncut as a stand against governmental cuts to domestic violence. In a statement on their Facebook event, they explained they wanted to “celebrate the history of women’s struggles” that were presented in the film, and continue that legacy into the present day.

“The film depicts a struggle for women’s rights that took place nearly 100 years ago, but we know that the struggle isn’t over,” they wrote. “When two women a week are murdered by violent men and services to support them are being destroyed by government cuts, women — especially black, trans and disabled women — are struggling to stay alive.”

In another statement on their website they expound on this stating, “doors are being slammed on women fleeing violence”. “Refuges are being shut down, legal aid has been cut, social housing is scarce and private rents are extortionate … To those in power, our message is this: your cuts are sexist, your cuts are dangerous, and you think that you can get away with them because you have targeted the people who you perceive as powerless.”

“We are those people, we are women, we will not be silenced. We stand united and fight together, and together we will win.”

Inspired by this, many gathered behind the barricades outside London’s Odeon Theatre overnight waving signs and chanting.

Others threw smokebombs to disrupt proceedings, and some made their way right on to the red carpet. At one point around 10 women lay alongside one another on the pavement and screamed “It is our duty to fight for freedom” and “David Cameron take note, dead women can’t vote.”

Protesters on the outskirts of the event were consistently patrolled by a number of security staff and — though they were left for some time — eventually, the women on the red carpet were physically removed as well. Considering this all took place moments before a screening of a film with scenes almost identical to this, it made for some less than ideal press.

This was however nicely contrasted by the reaction from some of the film’s stars. Approached by reporters shortly after the protesters were escorted away, Brendan Gleeson was happy to link the action of the film to the women outside the event, suggesting “people seem to take too long to listen”.

“As we saw from the protests tonight,” he said. “If only you could listen before you were absolutely made to.”

Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter went even further than this enthusiastically praising the protesters. “I’m glad that our film has done something,” Bonham Carter said. “I think that’s exactly what it’s there for. If you feel strongly about something and if there’s an injustice there that you can speak out and try and get something changed. I think it’s the perfect response to our film.”

“It’s better to lie down and protest rather than wear a frock and [go up the red carpet].”

Sisters Uncut have since responded pleased with the actors’ reaction and suggested any new supporters read more about their objectives and consider make a donation to their group.

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Suffragette will premiere in Australia as part of the BBC First British Film Festival on October 31.

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If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.