Erica Jong, born in 1942, is one of the most famous feminist writers in the US. During the feminist “second wave“ in America, she caused quite a stir with her novel “Fear of Flying“ (1973) about a woman who leaves her marriage and strives to find freedom. Because she wrote about sex – which male authors generally do as well – her novel was labeled a “dirty book“ and she was regarded as a sex writer.

The documentary ERICA JONG – BREAKING THE WALL by Swiss director Kaspar Kasics, follows the Jewish poet, satirist and storyteller as she writes her memoirs about her legacy and thinks about the future of feminism. What develops is a portrait of a fit and strong-willed 80 year old who doesn‘t think about retiring, who advocates for younger writers and continues to be engaged with the state of the world. It is also a portrait of someone who at times seems very convinced of themselves and the film hints is not a very easy personality. Conflicts in the family and the odd character flaw come up in the fascinating conversation with her younger sister. In the media, Jong was always seen as “the woman who writes about sex.“ ERICA JONG, however, shows a multilayered artist who is primarily focused on openness and truthfulness. She fails to comply with her reputation as a rather “male friendly“ feminist too. “We have tried to convince men that they will also get something out of the emancipation of women for so long“ - maybe it is time for today‘s feminists to stop doing that, says Erica Jong, continuing to show her fighting spirit.

Eva Szulkowski

Translation: Elinor Lewy