Films
- Mean Girls (2004) by Mark Waters
Mean Girls follows Cady Heron, a homeschooled teenager who enters an American high school for the first time and tries to find her place in an unfamiliar social world. After joining “the Plastics,” the school’s most popular girl group, Cady begins to mistake popularity for confidence and social approval for self-worth. In order to fit in, she changes her behaviour, hurts her friends, and gradually loses sight of who she used to be. Through sharp comedy and an exaggerated high school setting, the film shows that growing up is not always a clear or graceful process. For this film festival, Mean Girls presents one version of “figuring it out”: Cady has to make mistakes, experience the consequences, and finally realise that becoming herself matters more than being liked by everyone.
2. Legally Blonde (2001) by Robert Luketic
Legally Blonde tells Elle Woods’ story of self-discovery in a bright, energetic and playful way. At first, Elle enters Harvard Law School not because she has a clear career plan, but because she wants to win back her ex-boyfriend and prove that she is “good enough” for him. However, through doubt, rejection and being underestimated, she gradually discovers her own intelligence, confidence and sense of purpose. What makes the film especially meaningful is that Elle does not abandon her love of fashion, femininity or kindness in order to be taken seriously. Instead, she learns that these qualities can also become sources of strength. For this film festival, Legally Blonde shows one important form of “figuring it out”: Elle begins by seeking external approval, but eventually realizes that her value does not need to be confirmed by someone else.
3. 13 Going on 30 (2004) by Gary Winick
13 Going on 30 follows Jenna Rink, a thirteen-year-old girl who feels insecure, overlooked and eager to become someone more admired. After wishing to be “thirty, flirty, and thriving,” she suddenly wakes up as a successful adult with the life she once imagined. At first, this seems like the perfect future, but Jenna soon realizes that popularity, beauty and career success have not made her truly happy. She has lost her closest friendship, her kindness and the honest version of herself. For this film festival, 13 Going on 30 presents “figuring it out” as a process of looking back at one’s choices and understanding that growing up should not mean abandoning the person you really are.
4. Finding Mr. Right (2013) by Xiaolu Xue
Finding Mr. Right follows Wen Jiajia, a wealthy and materialistic woman from Beijing who travels to Seattle to give birth. Far away from her familiar lifestyle, she meets Frank, a kind and gentle driver who is struggling with his own family responsibilities. As Jiajia faces loneliness, uncertainty, and the collapse of her previous ideas about love and success, she gradually begins to rethink what she truly wants from life. Through its romantic and cross-cultural setting, the film explores female growth beyond fantasy and consumption. For this film festival, Finding Mr. Right responds to the theme by showing that “figuring it out” can happen after a woman realizes that the life she once wanted may not truly make her happy.
5. The Devil Wears Prada (2006) by David Frankel
The Devil Wears Prada follows Andy Sachs, a recent college graduate who dreams of becoming a serious journalist but unexpectedly takes a job as an assistant to Miranda Priestly, the powerful editor-in-chief of a prestigious fashion magazine. As Andy enters the glamorous but demanding world of fashion, she begins to change her appearance, habits, and priorities in order to succeed. However, her growing ambition also creates distance from her friends, relationship, and original values. Through its stylish workplace setting, the film explores the tension between professional success and personal identity. For this film festival, The Devil Wears Prada shows that “figuring it out” is not only about becoming successful, but also about realizing whether the version of success you are chasing truly belongs to you.
Girls Figuring It Out 