Housewife Of The Year – Film Review
by Fran Winston

Director: Ciarain Cassidy
Starring: Margaret Carmody, Catherine Carton, Margaret Carton,  Sally Casey,  Patricia Connolly, Philomena Delaney, Miriam Fitt, Ellen Gowan, Ena Howell, Bernie Kennedy, Ann McStay

In cinemas November 22

As the title of this documentary suggests, it tells the story of the Housewife Of The Year competition, which people of a certain age will remember was an actual event that ran in Ireland from 1969 to 1995. However, the contest is only a catalyst here to tell the story of Ireland’s treatment of women, which, as everybody knows, has been less than wonderful.

Once the contest began to be televised it featured not just the competition but also footage of the contestants at home which gives a vivid insight into the ordinary lives of these women. The fact that they were judged on things like cookery, budgeting, and basic household management skills seems ludicrous nowadays but the women took it very seriously. It was considered a great honour to make it to the final.

Using archive footage and interviews with former contestants and winners, Cassidy paints a picture of the not-too-distant past, which saw women earmarked as second-class citizens.

The former contestants featured in this film all remember their time in the contest fondly and admit there was great excitement around it. But behind the glitz and glamour of the contest their real lives were quite different. There are some shocking stories featured from being thrown in a Magdalene laundry as a teenager following an afternoon boating with some friends including a few boys, to young women being matched to much older men, to women who were forced to give up jobs they loved after they married.

They all express bewilderment at the way they accepted societal strictures as they recall their experiences of marriage bars, contraception, financial vulnerability, marital breakdown and shame. Many of the women featured confess the contest helped them find their voice and become more assertive with some even becoming campaigners. There are some happy stories also, including the 1995 winner, who is technically still reining since the contest ended that year.

During its run, the competition faced accusations that it was demeaning and sexist but it was hugely popular and did open up debate about the fact a woman’s place was considered to be in the home.

Much of what is featured is hard to comprehend for modern women – who are still chasing equality on many levels but have it far better than those who came before us. At the screening I attended many audience members gasped in shock at some of the stories, which give just a glimpse of the cruelty Ireland has shown to the 50% of the population born female.

I went in fully expecting this to be a twee retelling of an archaic and obsolete contest, but I found myself running the gamut of emotions. I felt anger for what the women had gone through, admiration for their resilience and disgust at the people who had oppressed them. This is a fascinating and moving documentary that gives a warts and all insight into the history of women in Ireland.