Director Camille Hardman shares why we're still working 9 to 5 in new documentary
Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin (from left) in iconic film 9 to 5
“You’re a sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot,” recently divorced secretary Judy Bernly (Jane Fonda) says to her misogynistic boss (Dabney Coleman) in the groundbreaking film 9 to 5. Not only did the iconic workplace comedy, co-starring Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton, smash through the box office in 1980 (becoming the second highest-grossing film of that year), but it made headlines for its socio-political messages urging equal rights for women in the workplace. A spin-off sitcom (headlined by Rita Moreno) shortly followed, as well as a Broadway stage musical in 2009 (originally starring multi-award-winning actress Allison Janney), which is currently making its way across Australia.
Premiering at the SXSW Film Festival, 40 years after the original, the startling documentary Still Working 9 to 5 seeks to highlight how much – or how little – has changed in a post-Me Too movement world.
Co-directed and produced by Australian Camille Hardman, the project unites the stars and creatives behind the film and its spin-offs for an exciting tell-all reminiscing session. It also features interviews with prominent US women’s rights activists, and tracks the progress of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the rise of the Me Too movement to reveal how issues including sexual harassment and pay inequity are still affecting women all over the world today – but it’s certainly no laughing matter.
Hardman spoke to Popcorn Podcast about the challenges of taking on such a demanding project. Despite the difficulty of hearing distressing stories of inequality from women such as Lilly Ledbetter – the activist who fought to narrow the pay gap through The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 – the biggest hurdle was the financing to get the project off the ground. Hardman shares the entirely self-funded film was a “huge gamble” and resulted in her going unpaid for the four years it took to make the documentary. But once she began researching the arc of the women’s movement throughout the last four decades, she was all in.
Sexual harassment, maternity leave, lack of promotion opportunities, childcare and unequal pay are still major systemic issues in the workplace. For many women, especially in the US where the minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, “it's either saying no and not feeding your children, or saying yes and feeding your children”. But Still Working 9 to 5 seeks to show there are more areas to focus on. “Unity is a massive option,” Hardman says, “because if something is happening to you, it's probably happening to somebody else in the workplace.”
And beneath the secretary satire of 9 to 5 is actually a story of sisterhood solidarity and dark humour. The comedy facade, along with the star-studded leading cast of Fonda, Tomlin and Parton, were necessary to draw audiences into movie theatres for such an important and divisive topic in the ‘80s. Director of the now-cult classic, Colin Higgins, knew “you could not be beating people over the head with the issues – you had to make it fun.” Hardman agrees, saying, “If you really wanted to create change, you had to get the male audience in there. And the male audience were not going to go to a feminist film. Forget it.” Hence Hardman shares the same strategies were needed for the documentary. It’s called STILL Working 9 to 5 for a reason!
“You have to be so strong and steadfast in the conviction of what you are doing”
– Camille Hardman
Another light-hearted touch is that Dolly Parton’s equally iconic Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated theme song 9 to 5 gets a modern makeover in the documentary. But Steve Summers, Parton’s creative director, had the bright idea to put a melancholic twist on the upbeat hit. The country singer was on board and when she heard the new version featuring pop star Kelly Clarkson, Hardman said Parton squealed with delight.
Dolly Parton talks equality and shares a new version of her hit song in Still Working 9 to 5
Having attended the Women's March 4 Justice at Sydney’s Town Hall last year following Parliament House sexual misconduct allegations, Hardman acknowledges these issues are just as prevalent in Australia. “If that could happen within that sort of political realm with so-called enlightened individuals, which we know they aren't now, it could happen anywhere.” The filmmaker admires women, including Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame, for their courage to speak up, despite knowing they will be crucified. “You have to be so strong and steadfast in the conviction of what you are doing,” she says. “I find these women remarkable, and if I can somehow help perpetuate their message, that to me is what this documentary is about.”
She continues: “Men are our allies. If men acknowledge this happens, and it's seen as not the thing to do, that will stop other men from doing it.”
Although the conversation on equality is ongoing, “feminist” is no longer a dirty word; it’s a badge of honour. Despite the media’s best attempts at presenting feminists as bra-burning radicals in the 70s, in time it became clear that “it was just about being equal”. Films like 9 to 5, and now Still Working 9 to 5, help women realise their worth and embolden them to stand up for that they deserve. And until we get that equality, Hardman says, “It’s okay not to smile.”
So, ladies and gentlemen, if you take one thing away from Still Working 9 to 5, let it be this: “In unification, there’s strength.” It’s just a shame that, decades after three bold female secretaries graced our screens, we still need to say it. But when something is wrong, whether it’s happening to you or to another, have the courage to call it out. That’s where it all starts. The fight for workplace parity is far from over, but it’s only us, all of us, who can create a better way to make a living.
