LIFE & CULTURE

New Biopic ‘I Am Woman’ Tells The Incredible Story Of Australian Songwriter Helen Reddy

Here, marie claire got an exclusive look behind-the-scenes

“I am woman, hear me roar” – The ballad I Am Woman has long been praised as the anthem for the women’s movement in the 1970s, even taking on new life in film franchise Sex And The City to show the power of female friendship, but what’s often not told is the story of its incredibly inspiring Australian singer-songwriter Helen Reddy. 

Reddy, who was born in Melbourne, arrived in New York City in 1966 with her three-year-old daughter and just $230 to her name. Within weeks she was broke. Within months she was in love. Within five years she was one of the biggest superstars of her time, and an icon of the 1970s feminist movement, who wrote a song which galvanised a generation of women to fight for change.

Now, her story is being told for the first time on-screen in Stan’s Original film I Am Woman, detailing the Grammy-award winning artist’s rise to fame, culminating in her co-writing and singing the ballad we all know so well today. 

In keeping with its feminist tale, the biopic has some incredibly talented female creatives at its helm. It was written by Australian screenwriter Emma Jensen and has Unjoo Moon as director. It stars Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Reddy and Danielle Macdonald (Dumplin’) as Lillian Roxon.

Below, marie claire got an exclusive look behind-the-scenes with some of the incredible talents behind the upcoming biopic, including Perth singer Chelsea Cullen, who took on the task of recreating Reddy’s iconic lyrics. The entire soundtrack is also available now, too, ahead of the film’s August 28 release. 

Evan Peters, from American Horror Story: Cult, also stars as Reddy’s husband Jeff Wald.

The film tells the story of fearless ambition and passion, of a woman who smashed through the patriarchal norms of her time to become the international singing superstar she always dreamed of being.

“During these tough times, it’s deeply meaningful to me that the release of Helen Reddy’s inspirational story I Am Woman will kick off with Stan in Australia,” Moon said of the upcoming project. “Not only did Helen’s story begin in Australia but so did our journey of making this movie.”

I am woman
(Credit: Stan)

The Stan Original Film I Am Woman will premiere exclusively on August 28.

Watch the official trailer below: 

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