The BFI is holding the UK’s greatest ever celebration of film and TV comedy from 22nd October until 31st January! Mixing writers who push boundaries with performers who say the unsayable with silent slapstick heroes of the past, no comedy stone will go unturned.
Funny Women is delighted to be the BFI’s promotional partner for their Trailblazing Women series, recognising the huge contribution women have made to comedy on the screen.
We are also the promotional partner for BFI’s screenings of the comedy classic 9 to 5 starring Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin! This gloriously feminist revenge comedy sees three put-upon office workers turn the tables on their sleazy boss. Judy (Fonda), Violet (Tomlin) and Doralee (Parton) couldn’t be more different from each other, but they bond over being mistreated by their boss: he yells at Judy on her first day, consistently takes credit for Violet’s ideas and sexually harasses Doralee. Fed up with him, and the sexist practices of their office, they dream of his removal. Based on an idea by Jane Fonda, who had just formed her own production company, this is a brazen comedy that wears its politics on its sleeve. With an inspiring friendship at its heart, it’s a film that celebrates women supporting each other – and feels more relevant now than ever before.
Heather Stewart, BFI Creative Director said: “In a divided Britain, in a world where we may be uncertain about what we’re allowed to find funny anymore, we need a laugh more than ever. Just seeing Sid James holding a sausage roll or the sight of Jack Benny at the front of a bunch of goose-stepping Nazis in To Be or Not to Be, cheers me up. Whether it’s Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin indulging in a drug-fuelled fantasy of bringing down their sexist boss, Peter Sellers’s maniacal Dr Strangelove, Buster Keaton’s deadpan face, Sharon Horgan’s hilariously frank take on family and relationships, or Tiffany Haddish’s grapefruit tutorial, we think there is enough wisecracking, slapstick, satire, smut and innuendo in our Comedy Genius season for everyone.”
Comedy Genius runs from October 2018 – January 2019. For tickets and more information click here!
Look out for top Comedy Genius picks on Funnywomen.com!
