I have to say one of my most memorable days at the SXSW Film Festival in 2022 is the day that I heard there was a film titled Still Working 9 to 5 and that she was to attend the festival in person. Not only that, when I heard she would perform at the Moody Austin City Limits theater, I knew this was one I was not going to miss.
The film Still Working 9 to 5 is about the film and what inspired Jane Fonda to develop the 1980s film that was a smash hit. In my opinion, it will forever be and one I can view over and over with the three lead ladies in roles that were important as they portrayed how women were treated in the office they worked in. Now the documentary shows viewers what was transpiring in the streets and offices to make a change in the way working environments were for many women, aside from the lower wages.
About: When the highest grossing comedy, 9 to 5, starring Jane Fonda, Dolly Parton, Dabney Coleman and Lily Tomlin, exploded on the cinema screens in 1980, the laughs hid a serious message about women in the office. Still Working 9 to 5 explores why workplace inequality 40 years later is no longer a laughing matter.
The documentary is well done with so many great interviews, including Dolly Parton about how she was approached by Jane Fonda for the role, as well what music she contributed to the film. I really enjoyed learning so much about the production and the footage from decades in the past as women were stepping up and protesting what they were enduring.
I attended the Still Working 9 to 5 screening at Stateside Theatre on March 18th and as it was late afternoon/early evening, I bolted to the nearest shuttle to make my way to get in line at the venue to hear Dolly that evening. I was blessed with a ride within a few minutes and arrived to the venue just in time to avoid the long line to secure a seat.
I arrived and heard a few of the opening acts and then Dolly appeared with author James Patterson to have a seated conversation about her new book, Run, Rose, Run. Parton released an album of the same name, consisting of twelve original songs she was inspired by the book to write, record, and produce. The novel includes lyrics to the songs, which are essential to the story. It was exciting to hear them discuss the process and songs during the presentation, but even better to hear that they are in the works to have the screenplay for a film in the future. I can’t wait!
She took a 15-minute break before the magic of Dolly returned to take the stage and make each one of the audience members either laugh, cry or sigh with memories of her big hits, after she sang three of the original songs she wrote for the book. I will always treasure this marvelous memory of my time with Dolly at SXSW 2022.
Directors: Camille Hardman, Gary Lane
Executive Producer: Geralyn Dreyfous, Regina K Scully, Larry Lane, Steve Summers, Shane McAnally, Gary Lane, Camille Hardman
Producer: Camille Hardman, Gary Lane
Cinematographer: Brian Tweedt
Editor: Oreet Rees, Elisa Bonora
Sound Designer: Yahel Dooley
Music: Jessica Weiss & Shane McAnally
Principal Cast: Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dabney Coleman, Rita Moreno, Allison Janney, Stephanie J Block, Megan Hilty, Joe Mantello, Marc Kudisch
Additional Credits: Additional Editor: Jon Berry
Source: SXSW