Born in Flames

The film opens on the 10th anniversary of a peaceful socialist-democratic revolution, setting a charged political backdrop. Two feminist groups in New York City begin voicing their concerns on pirate radio: Radio Ragazza, led by Isabel, and Phoenix Radio, led by Honey. The stage is set for a city-wide confrontation over gender inequality and state power.

Adelaide Norris, a world-traveling political activist, arrives in New York City and is arrested at the airport. Her detention becomes a flashpoint that hints at deeper government scrutiny of dissent. Norris's death in police custody raises questions about police conduct and fuels further unrest.

Following Norris’s arrest, FBI agents begin investigating Radio Ragazza, Phoenix Radio, and the Women’s Army. The groups become targets of state surveillance as authorities try to contain the growing dissent. The investigation unsettles the activists, who fear being shut down.

Three editors for a socialist newspaper chronicle the movement’s developments, publishing persistent and opinionated journalism. Their reporting draws attention from officials and corporate interests alike. Eventually their coverage leads to the editors being fired.

A sidewalk assault on a woman exposes the harsh realities of gendered violence. Dozens of women on bicycles, blowing whistles, intervene to chase away the attackers and protect the victim. The scene embodies collective action and communal defense.

Across meetings, radio shows, art, posters, and jobs, women organize and coordinate their efforts. The montage highlights a broad spectrum of female voices and strategies for social change. The movement grows into a recognizable force within the city.

Despite the momentum, Honey and Isabel initially refuse to join the direct-action groups. Their hesitation reflects differing approaches to feminism and protest. The film tracks their eventual shift toward unity with the others.

Both pirate radio stations are suspiciously burned down, crippling their ability to broadcast. The blaze prompts questions about who is targeting the movement and why. The act hardens the resolve of the activists to find new channels.

Honey and Isabel set aside their differences, team up, and broadcast Phoenix Ragazza Radio from stolen vans. The improvised broadcasts help them reach wider audiences and coordinate with other groups. They prove that effective communication can survive the loss of a studio.

The Women’s Army, aligned with the broadcasters, sends a group of terrorists to interrupt a televised address by the President proposing pay for housework. The act marks a dramatic escalation and blurs the line between protest and violence. It signals a unified, militant response from the movement.

With renewed solidarity, the women’s coalition intensifies its actions, balancing political messaging, direct action, and community organizing. Internal debates about strategy surface, but the alliance grows stronger as the movement widens its influence. The city becomes a focal point for collective protest.

In a climactic confrontation, the women bomb the antenna atop the World Trade Center to hinder further messages from the government and mainstream media. The act embodies the film’s culmination of militant resistance and its impact on public discourse. The narrative closes with the implications of their actions resonating through the city.