Forty-four years after “9 to 5” became a cinematic sensation and rally cry for women’s rights, stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin reunited to celebrate the Hollywood premiere of the documentary “Still Working 9 to 5.”
The original comedy followed a trio of office workers conspiring to put a check on their “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” of a boss, played by the late Dabney Coleman. In April, it was announced that Jennifer Aniston’s Echo Films was set to produce a “reimagining” of the movie for 20th Century Studios.
“We hope she has great success,” Tomlin told Variety. “It’s a hard nut to crack because the issues are somewhat different.”
“I hope she does it,” Fonda interjected.
“There’s still the undercurrent of the same kind of negativity towards females … [they’re] not easy-to-solve issues. So we’re very eager to see what they do,” Tomlin added.
Comedian Kathy Griffin, who was among the star-studded premiere’s attendees, jokingly suggested that she, “Abbott Elementary” actress Lisa Ann Walter and Zendaya should star in the remake.
“Everything has to have Zendaya. So no matter what, cast Zendaya,” Griffin explained.
The “Still Working 9 to 5” premiere was sponsored by the ERA Coalition, which recognized Fonda, Tomlin and co-star Dolly Parton, who was unable to attend, with its Women’s Equality Trailblazer Award.
“I hope you will take away from this evening a renewed commitment to the [Equal Rights Amemdment] and the ERA Coalition. Thank you very much,” Fonda said when accepting the award.
The documentary not only covers the inspiration, production and release of the classic 1980 comedy, but also its continued impact and relevance more than four decades later, particularly concerning the ERA.
The ERA was drafted in 1923 by suffragists Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman, but while it passed both houses of Congress in 1971, it has never been enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Since the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, there has been a renewed push for constitutional publication from organizations like the ERA Coalition.
“We are the only industrialized nation that does not specifically have protections for women in our constitution,” ERA Coalition board member Alyssa Milano said. “And so watching my rights being rolled back, I feel like [the ERA] is the answer for everything – every sort of justice that we are fighting for – just peace, racial justice, reproductive justice, trans justice. Everything is encapsulated by the Equal Rights Amendment.”
“We’re still in a place where people don’t understand how hard they still have to fight,” said fellow board member Walter, who hosted the screening. “[Don’t take things for granted] because we are headed smack dab into Gilead.”
ERA Advisory Council member Patricia Arquette said that without the ERA, women make an average of $10,000 less in wages compared to their male counterparts.
“[This] obviously has a huge impact on them as they get older – their retirement and their capacity to pay off their college tuition, their loans and their mortgages … Equal pay is incredibly important. It changes the quality of your life. It changes your opportunities. It changes everything,” Arquette said.
Fonda stressed that “Still Working 9 to 5” serves as a timely reminder.
“I know that changes that are as profound as overturning patriarchy, they take time and we can’t give up. It’s not a marathon. It’s a relay,” she concluded.
“Still Working 9 to 5,” which was produced by Gary Lane, Larry Lane and Camille Hardman, is seeking distribution after receiving numerous awards from various film festivals.
