Women Of '69, Unboxed

Women Of '69, Unboxed is an intriguing and intricately structured documentary about a group of women who graduated from Skidmore College in the year 1969. This unique documentary offers an intimate, insightful, and highly evocative glimpse into the lives of these women over the span of several decades. Directed by Peter Barton, and headlined by Diane Oltarzewski and Jane Nordli, this non-fiction film primarily focuses on visual 'time capsules', connecting past, present, and future.

The film is a time capsule in itself, unboxed for the world to peer into the life and times of these eleven women from the class of '69, which was a turbulent, transformative period in American history. It was a time of pivotal changes in the world, particularly in the women's liberation movement. The essence of this dynamic era is vividly captured throughout the course of the movie, showcasing how these Skidmore graduates navigated the societal shifts during that time.

Diane Oltarzewski and Jane Nordli lead the narrative, together with their other classmates, presenting a personal portrait of what they went through, both as students and as women forging their way through the upheavals of the late 60s and early 70s. They reveal their dreams, fears, and every aspect that made up their lives over the years since their graduation, each having trodden a distinct path while nurturing a shared bond.

The narrative begins with the women revisiting their time at Skidmore, exploring their ambitions and inspirations in their youth. Using the class yearbook - named the "Unboxed" - as a unifying motif, the documentary presents an introspection of these women’s lives as they were molded by the historic moments during this critical period, including the civil rights movement, an escalation in the Vietnam War and the rise of second-wave feminism.

As the title suggests, the main idea of the Women Of '69, Unboxed is to ‘unbox’ these time capsules, highlighting the women’s life trajectories, discussing their accomplishments, regrets, wisdom gained, and the legacy they plan to leave behind. These candid stories evoke relatable emotions, capturing not just their personal struggles and triumphs but also presenting a unique perspective on the broader historical and sociological environment that they lived through.

The film makes an effective use of both interviews and archival footage to make the narrative lively. The interviews are extremely candid, resonant, and often emotive, showcasing the women's journey of self-discovery and personal growth over half a century from 1969 to date. The archival footage adds historical context, and features riveting snapshots of the college campus, classrooms, events, and the society of that era, crafting a backdrop against which the women’s recollections offer a sense of nostalgia and reflection.

While concentrating on these eleven women's tales, Barton's film extends beyond them to hint at universal themes. It positions these personal stories within the context of the broader socio-political milieu of a country undergoing a sea change. It is about women’s roles in society, their struggles with the evolving expectations and opportunities, their experiences with marriage, career, children, and how they forged their identities in an era of major change.

Women of '69, Unboxed, also concurrently explores the evolution of the American woman’s place in society, reflecting their generation’s spirit of revolt and reform, of pushing boundaries and breaking traditions, and their endeavor in the fight for equal rights. It takes you on a journey exploring the women’s liberation movement in a way that is both intimate and grand, steering through their triumphs and tribulations - a journey that is as much about the past as it is about the present and the future.

Further adding color to the narrative are the cultural scores, each carefully selected to evoke the era and mood of the period being revisited. Along with the original soundtrack, they create an evocative auditory backdrop for the visual journey.

In essence, Women Of '69, Unboxed is more than just a documentary. It is an evocative and deeply moving time travel of women's lives, championing the complexities and nuances of female identity and friendships in the midst of an ever-changing social and political landscape. The film seamlessly juxtaposes historical events with personal narratives, orchestrating a symphony of memories with the '69 era as a powerful chorus. It is an homage to female resilience, friendships, and the enduring ties of shared historical moments.