Almost 40 years ago, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton took office sexism into their own hands in Colin Higgins and Patricia Resnick’s workplace comedy “9 to 5.” Now, BFI has announced that it’s bringing the ’80s hit back to UK screens as part of its Comedy Genius blockbuster season.
“9 to 5” features Fonda, Tomlin, and Parton as three women fed up with their “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” of a boss. They join forces to take him, and the toxic office culture he represents, down.
“9 to 5” was the second-highest grossing film of 1980, falling just behind “The Empire Strikes Back.” Parton’s song of the same name earned an Oscar nod and, per BFI’s press release, remains her third biggest UK single.
The film’s re-release is a timely one. Its issues “are sadly just as relevant today, almost 40 years later, and, as the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements have shown, are still being fought by working women everywhere.” At a U.S. Television Critics Association panel this summer, Fonda reaffirmed this sentiment, stating that — given the prevalence of workplace outsourcing and social media — she’s “sorry to say that the situation is worse today.”
“9 to 5” premieres in conjunction with BFI Southbank’s Jane Fonda season. Between October 31 and December 31, moviegoers can catch screenings of Fonda flicks “Klute,” “Barbarella,” and “Coming Home.”
Fonda has been keeping busy with “Book Club,” “Grace and Frankie,” and “Jane Fonda in Five Acts,” an HBO documentary on her life directed by Susan Lacy. She, along with Tomlin and Parton, are on board for the “9 to 5” sequel, which is now in development. Rashida Jones is set to write alongside Resnick. Fonda will exec produce.
On October 23, Fonda will introduce a preview of “9 to 5” and participate in an on-stage discussion at BFI Southbank.
“9 to 5” returns to UK cinemas November 16. More information on BFI Southbank’s Jane Fonda season may be found on the BFI website.