The Sundance Film Festival kicks off January 19, and like all major fests, the program is rather overwhelming. There are lots of options, and plenty of projects worth checking out. We’ve assembled some of the highlights, and even if you aren’t heading to Park City for all of the fun, it’s worth putting these films on your radar. 2017 just began, but Sundance is famed for introducing audiences to some of the year’s best indie darlings and awards contenders.
This list is by no means exhaustive, and we’ve selected only feature-length docs and narratives directed by women. Some of the many other titles we recommend checking out include Rose Troche’s “If Not Love,” a VR experience revolving around a shooting at a gay dance club, and “Lucia, Before and After,” Anu Valia’s short film about a woman who travels 200 miles to get an abortion only to be faced with red tape. A women-centric title that has got our attention is “Where Is Kyra?” starring Michelle Pfeiffer. It’s been too long since we’ve seen the actress in a leading role. She plays a “mild mannered, sheltered” woman dealing with the death of her mother in the drama.
Sundance runs until January 29. Be sure to check out our interviews with women directors screening films at the fest, which we’ll begin publishing this week.
Here are some of our most anticipated films of Sundance 2017. Synopses and photos are courtesy of Sundance.
“Landline” — Written by Elisabeth Holm and Gillian Robespierre; Directed by Gillian Robespierre
What it’s about: Two sisters come of age in ’90s New York when they discover their dad’s affair — and it turns out he’s not the only cheater in the family. Everyone still smokes inside, no one has a cell phone, and the Jacobs family finally connects through lying, cheating, and hibachi.
Why we’re interested: We loved “Obvious Child,” Gillian Robespierre’s feature directorial debut, a brave, funny, and touching romantic comedy about a comedian who gets an abortion. “Landline” reunites Robespierre with her “Obvious Child” leading lady, Jenny Slate, and we can’t wait to experience the magic the collaboration produces. Plus, the new film centers on sisters, a relationship that we wish got more screen time.
“Novitiate” — Written and Directed by Maggie Betts
What it’s about: In the early 1960s, during the Vatican II era, a young woman training to become a nun struggles with issues of faith, sexuality, and the changing church. Cast: Margaret Qualley, Melissa Leo, Julianne Nicholson, Dianna Agron, Morgan Saylor.
Why we’re interested: The premise of a woman torn between her allegiance to god, her faith, and sexuality seems full of potential. The church isn’t exactly known as a bastion of gender equality, and it sounds as though “Novitiate” will explore some of the reasons why its earned this reputation. The stellar cast includes Melissa Leo (“Frozen River”), Julianne Nicholson (“Masters of Sex”), and Margaret Qualley (“The Leftovers”). (If you’re interested in a film centered around progressive women in the church, check out Rebecca Parrish’s “Radical Grace,” a doc about activist nuns.)
“Mudbound” — Co-Written and Directed by Dee Rees
What it’s about: In the post–World War II South, two families are pitted against a barbaric social hierarchy and an unrelenting landscape as they simultaneously fight the battle at home and the battle abroad. This epic pioneer story is about friendship, heritage, and the unending struggle for and against the land.
Why we’re interested: Dee Rees received well-deserved accolades for “Pariah,” her debut narrative feature. Her first major followup project was HBO’s “Bessie,” a biopic about blues singer Bessie Smith that earned her two Emmy nominations. In other words, Rees is on a roll, and we feel confident that period piece “Mudbound” will be another impressive addition to her filmography, especially with a cast that includes Carey Mulligan (“Suffragette”) and singer-actress Mary J. Blige (“How To Get Away With Murder”).
“To the Bone” — Written and Directed by Marti Noxon
What it’s about: In a last-ditch effort to battle her severe anorexia, 20-year-old Ellen enters a group recovery home. With the help of an unconventional doctor, Ellen and the other residents go on a sometimes-funny, sometimes-harrowing journey that leads to the ultimate question — is life worth living?
Why we’re interested: Eating disorders affect more lives — and end more lives — than we’d like to think. (According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, “at least 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder in the U.S.”) Despite the prevalence of eating disorders, they’re rarely depicted in media. We have total faith in “UnREAL” co-creator Marti Noxon to handle this sensitive subject matter, especially because “To the Bone” is inspired by her own struggles with eating disorders. Noxon’s impressive TV credits include “Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce,” “Glee,” “Mad Men,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and “Buffy.” “To the Bone” marks her directorial debut on the big screen, and we hope it’s the first of many films she helms.
“XX” — Written and Directed by Annie Clark, Karyn Kusama, Roxanne Benjamin, and Jovanka Vuckovic
What it’s about: This all-female horror anthology features four dark tales from four fiercely talented women.
Why we’re interested: Of all genres, women are least likely to work in horror and action. Horror programs at film fests often feature one — or zero — films helmed by women directors, so we’re looking forward to an anthology that’s entirely women-directed. Bonus: each of the segments focus on female protagonists. In an episode of KILLER POV podcast, co-director Karyn Kusama (“The Invitation”) shared, “The films are very different, but there are overriding anxieties about female-ness to a degree. And I want to say body horror is a component.” Count us in.
“My Happy Family” — Written and Co-Directed by Nana Ekvtimishvili
What it’s about: Tbilisi, Georgia, 2016: In a patriarchal society, an ordinary Georgian family lives with three generations under one roof. All are shocked when 52-year-old Manana decides to move out from her parents’ home and live alone. Without her family and her husband, a journey into the unknown begins.
Why we’re interested: “My Happy Family” sounds like an intriguing late-life coming-of-age story. Life doesn’t end for women after 50, a memo most films seem to have missed. We are great admirers of Mia Hansen-Løve’s “Things to Come,” a 2016 drama about an older woman (played by Isabelle Huppert) who has come to a crossroads and is forced to re-build her life. We’re eager to take another journey into the unknown with a 50+ woman.
“Sami Blood” — Written and Directed by Amanda Kernell
What it’s about: Elle Marja, 14, is a reindeer-breeding Sámi girl. Exposed to race biology examinations at her boarding school and the racism of the 1930s, she starts dreaming of another life — one that demands she become someone else and break all ties with her family and culture.
Why we’re interested: The plot summary for “Sami Blood” is the stuff of nightmares. As horrifying as the film sounds, we’re looking forward to checking out this atypical coming-of-age story that deals with questions of identity, tradition, and racism. “I wanted to make a film where we see the Sámi society from within and experience this dark part of Swedish colonial history in a physical way,” writer-director Amanda Kernell told Women and Hollywood in a soon-to-be-published interview.
“Step” (Documentary) — Directed by Amanda Lipitz
What it’s about: The senior year of a girls’ high school step team in inner-city Baltimore is documented, as they try to become the first in their families to attend college. The girls strive to make their dancing a success against the backdrop of social unrest in their troubled city.
Why we’re interested: We’re suckers for films focused on girls following their dreams, particularly when those dreams revolve around education and opportunity. It sounds as though “Step” will illustrate just how difficult it is to overcome the odds, shining a line on talented and ambitious young women in the process.
“Whose Streets?” (Documentary) — Co-Directed by Sabaah Folayan
What it’s about: A nonfiction account of the Ferguson uprising told by the people who lived it, this is an unflinching look at how the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown inspired a community to fight back — and sparked a global movement.
Why we’re interested: Race — and racism — are on the forefront of many our of minds as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. “Whose Streets?” is a timely, powerful portrait of the community rocked by Michael Brown, Jr.’s death, and an examination how the tragic event shaped history.
“Motherland” (Documentary) — Directed by Ramona Diaz
What it’s about: The planet’s busiest maternity hospital is located in one of its poorest and most populous countries: the Philippines. There, poor women face devastating consequences as their country struggles with reproductive health policy and the politics of conservative Catholic ideologies.
Why we’re interested: The relationship between sex education, reproductive rights, government, religion, and poverty is relevant to any and all conversations about maternity hospitals. “Motherland” promises to push that dialogue further. “My job as a filmmaker is to introduce audiences to people and places that they would otherwise not encounter, and to create empathy toward characters they wouldn’t normally meet in their daily lives,” director Ramona Diaz shared with Women and Hollywood. “And rather than think of the mothers — and fathers — in the film as ‘the other,’ I want the audience to feel a universal kinship with the folks they meet on screen,” she explained.
“Tokyo Idols” (Documentary) — Directed by Kyoko Miyake
What it’s about: This exploration of Japan’s fascination with girl bands and their music follows an aspiring pop singer and her fans, delving into the cultural obsession with young female sexuality and the growing disconnect between men and women in hypermodern societies.
Why we’re interested: While superstars in the world of music, movies, and sports are often profiled in docs, it’s quite uncommon to see their fans’ side of the story. “Tokyo Idols” will look at both sides of the coin. While the “growing disconnect between men and women in hypermodern societies” is a pretty vague description, we’re keen to learn more about how young female sexuality is marketed to the masses. “All the elements in the film — objectification, justification, nostalgia, internalization, disproportionate ageism against women, emasculated men with macho ideas, and so on — are happening around all of us,” director Kyoko Miyake told Women and Hollywood in an upcoming interview. “They are just magnified and taken to the extreme in Japan, but there are definitely parallels everywhere.”
“RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked The World” (Documentary) — Directed by Catherine Bainbridge
What it’s about: This powerful documentary about the role of Native Americans in contemporary music history — featuring some of the greatest music stars of our time — exposes a critical missing chapter, revealing how indigenous musicians helped shape the soundtracks of our lives and, through their contributions, influenced popular culture.
Why we’re interested: It’s 2017 and we still have sports teams with “Indians” for mascots, and most people would be hard-pressed to name films and TV series with indigenous characters, nevermind protagonists. “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World” highlights the many contributions of Native Americans to the music industry, a history that is seldom if ever addressed. It’s time that these musicians finally get their due.
“This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous” (Documentary) — Directed by Barbara Kopple
What it’s about: Are there limits to your love for your family? One family’s acceptance is tested when a champion diver, destined for the Olympics, announces he’s transitioning into a woman — and invites his YouTube followers along for every moment. It’s a story about unconditional love and finding the courage to be yourself.
Why we’re interested: We’re happy to watch anything two-time Oscar winner Barbara Kopple makes, but we’re especially looking forward to her intimate portrait of a trans woman dealing with her family’s reaction to her decision to embrace her identity as a woman. Gigi Gorgeous has over 303 thousand followers on Twitters, so we’re betting lots of people are interested in getting a closer look at her life. “I saw bits and pieces of the trailer the other day and instantly burst into tears,” she tweeted. “This is truly a dream come true for me.” It’s rare for an LGBTQ individual to take center stage in a story, a fact which makes “Gigi Gorgeous” an especially welcome addition to Sundance’s lineup.
