Fall will come rolling in with a bevy of women-centric, women-directed, and women-written films that range from romantic to historical to scary to funny. There’s a little bit of everything to tide you over as summer movie madness ends and we enter the last part of the year.
Love in September comes in the form of “Tulip Fever,” where a portrait sparks a passionate affair between an orphaned girl in an unhappy arranged marriage and the artist painting her likeness. And “I Do… Until I Don’t” takes a look at how marriages evolve and devolve overtime via three very different couples.
If you’re in the mood for a little history, “Dolores,” “Victoria & Abdul,” and “Battle of the Sexes” are for you. “Dolores” gives an inside look at one of the most important, least known American labor activists, Dolores Huerta. “Victoria & Abdul” also shares an untold story: the friendship between Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim, a young clerk. “Battle of the Sexes” stars Emma Stone and Steve Carell as Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, respectively. King and Riggs participated in the legendary 1973 tennis match, dubbed the “Battle of the Sexes,” one of the most-watched sporting events in history — and a landmark for women’s rights.
It seems like we won’t have to wait till October to enjoy some horror. September sees the premiere of “mother!” a twisted tale centered around a couple and some unexpected guests. “The Sound” sees an investigator getting more than she bargained for while trying to debunk the paranormal. And “The Limehouse Golem” takes you to the unforgiving streets of Victorian London where an investigator is trying to stop a serial killer.
September will also see a little fun drama in the form of “Home Again,” Hallie Meyers-Shyer’s directorial debut. The Reese Witherspoon vehicle is about a divorced woman building her own family after a move to LA and a decision to take in three younger men as tenants.
Here are all of the women-centric, women-directed, and women-written films debuting in September. All descriptions are from press materials unless otherwise noted.
September 1
“Viceroy’s House” — Directed by Gurinder Chadha; Co-Written by Moira Buffini (U.S. Release)
After 300 years, that British rule of India was coming to an end. For six months in 1947, Lord Mountbatten (Hugh Bonneville), great grandson of Queen Victoria, assumed the post of the last Viceroy, charged with handing India back to its people. Mountbatten lived upstairs together with his wife (Gillian Anderson) and daughter (Lily Travers). Downstairs lived their 500 Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh servants. As the political elite took their seats to wrangle over the birth of independent India, conflict erupted throughout the house and a catastrophic decision was taken with global repercussions. Partition — the decision to divide India and create the new Muslim homeland of Pakistan — led to the largest mass migration in human history.
“Dolores” (Documentary) (Opens in NY; Opens in LA September 8)
Dolores Huerta is among the most important, yet least known, activists in American history. An equal partner in co-founding the first farm workers unions with Cesar Chavez, her enormous contributions have gone largely unrecognized. Dolores tirelessly led the fight for racial and labor justice alongside Chavez, becoming one of the most defiant feminists of the 20th century — and she continues the fight to this day, at 87. With intimate and unprecedented access to this intensely private mother to 11, the film reveals the raw, personal stakes involved in committing one’s life to social change.
“I Do… Until I Don’t” — Written and Directed by Lake Bell
“I Do… Until I Don’t” is an ensemble comedy following three couples stuck in the web of a jaded filmmaker (Dolly Wells) looking to prove that marriage should be a seven-year contract with an option to renew. For Alice and Noah (Lake Bell, Ed Helms), more than a hint of boredom is setting in as they approach their first decade together and the prospect of parenthood. Meanwhile, Alice’s funky sister Fanny (Amber Heard) is sure her “open marriage” to Zander (Wyatt Cenac) is the key to their free-spirited happiness. And then there’s Cybil and Harvey (Mary Steenburgen, Paul Reiser), a pair of empty-nesters wondering what the next stage will be.
“Tulip Fever”
In 17th century Amsterdam, an orphaned girl (Alicia Vikander) is forcibly married to a rich and powerful merchant (Christoph Waltz) — an unhappy “arrangement” that saves her from poverty. After her husband commissions a portrait, she begins a passionate affair with the painter (Dane DeHaan), a struggling young artist. Seeking to escape the merchant’s ever-reaching grasp, the lovers risk everything and enter the frenzied tulip bulb market, with the hope that the right bulb will make a fortune and buy their freedom.
“Heat and Dust” (Theatrical Re-Release) — Written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (Opens in NY and LA)
Cross-cutting between two generations, James Ivory’s sprawling epic of self-discovery is also a lush evocation of the prismatic and sensuous beauty of India. As she searches for answers to the mystery surrounding a long-ago affair between her aunt Olivia (Greta Scacchi) and an Indian prince (Shashi Kapoor), Anne (Julie Christie) becomes immersed in the local culture, the pull of the past simultaneously leading her into a clearer view of her own future.
“Kill Me Please” — Written and Directed by Anita Rocha Da Silveira
Barra da Tijuca, West Side Zone of Rio de Janeiro. A wave of murders plague the area. What starts off as a morbid curiosity for the local youth slowly begins to spoil away at their lives. Among them is Bia (Valentina Herszage), a fifteen year old girl. After an encounter with death, she will do anything to make sure she’s alive.
“Dalida” — Written and Directed by Lisa Azuelos (Opens in Miami)
“Dalida” is an intimate portrait based on the real story of a strong, fiercely independent woman (Sveva Alviti) whose 30-year dazzling career was punctuated by tragic events, with no less than three of her lovers committing suicide. With over 170 million albums sold and twice honored with the World Oscar of Recording Success, Dalida received more than 70 gold records and was the first singer to receive platinum and diamond discs, some of her best hits including “Bang Bang,” “Paroles Paroles,” and “Avec Le Temps.” Dalida continued to hold concerts until her last days, but her suicide in 1987 immortalized her iconic image as a diva and renowned singer.
“The Vault” (Also Available on VOD)
Two estranged sisters (Taryn Manning and Francesca Eastwood) are forced to rob a bank in order to save their brother. The heist begins smoothly, but mayhem ensues when the defiant bank manager sends them to a basement-level vault — home to something truly evil.
“The Layover”
When their plane is rerouted due to a hurricane warning, two single female best friends (Alexandra Daddario and Kate Upton) find themselves competing for the same guy (Matt Barr) during an extended layover in St. Louis.
“Unlocked ” (Also Available on VOD)
After failing to apprehend the terrorist behind a Paris attack that claimed dozens of lives, CIA agent Alice Racine (Noomi Rapace) is forced to live in London as a caseworker. Unexpectedly, she is called back into action by her mentor, Eric Lasch (Michael Douglas), when the CIA discovers intel of another imminent attack. While “unlocking” the suspect, Alice discovers that the classified information she has uncovered has been compromised. Running for her life, Alice turns to ex-soldier Jack (Orlando Bloom) to prevent a lethal biological attack on the citizens of London.
September 6
“Spettacolo” (Documentary) — Co-Directed by Chris Shellen
Once upon a time…there was a tiny hill town in Tuscany that found a remarkable way to confront their issues — they turned their lives into a play. Every summer for the past 50 years, their piazza becomes their stage and villagers from 6 to 90 play a part — the role of themselves.
September 7
“Extraordinary” — Co-Written by Cheryl McKay
The seemingly endless road beckons. Well beyond exhausted, his body trudges onward — quitting is never an option. Aiming toward the finish line of another transcontinental race, he senses his prize this time is much greater than any medal or honor. Every step leads him closer to home. Based on a true marriage journey, “Extraordinary” tells the amazing story of ultra-marathon runner and college professor David Horton (Kirk Cameron), his wife, Nancy (Shari Rigby), and their attempt to finish their marriage race well.
September 8
“Lipstick Under My Burkha” — Directed by Alankrita Shrivastava; Written by Alankrita Shrivastava, Suhani Kanwar, and Gazal Dhaliwal (Opens in NY and LA)
Set in the crowded lanes of small town India, a burkha-clad college girl (Plabita Borthakur) struggles with issues of cultural identity and her aspirations to be a pop singer. A young two-timing beautician (Aahana Kumra) seeks to escape the claustrophobia of her small town. An oppressed housewife and mother of three (Konkona Sen Sharma) lives the alternate life of an enterprising saleswoman. And a 55-year-old widow (Ratna Pathak Shah) rediscovers her sexuality through a phone romance. Trapped in their worlds, they claim their desires through secret acts of rebellion.
“Home Again” — Written and Directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer
“Home Again” stars Reese Witherspoon as Alice Kinney in a modern romantic comedy. Recently separated from her husband (Michael Sheen), Alice decides to start over by moving back to her hometown of Los Angeles with her two young daughters. During a night out on her 40th birthday, Alice meets three aspiring filmmakers who happen to be in need of a place to live. Alice agrees to let the guys stay in her guest house temporarily, but the arrangement ends up unfolding in unexpected ways. Alice’s unlikely new family and new romance comes to a crashing halt when her ex-husband shows up, suitcase in hand. “Home Again” is a story of love, friendship, and the families we create. And one very big life lesson: Starting over is not for beginners.
“Motherland” (Documentary) — Directed by Ramona S. Diaz (Opens in NY; Opens September 22 in LA)
“Motherland” takes us into the heart of the planet’s busiest maternity hospital in one of the world’s poorest and most populous countries: the Philippines. The film’s viewer, like an unseen outsider dropped unobtrusively into the hospital’s stream of activity, passes through hallways, enters rooms, and listens in on conversations. At first, the surrounding people are strangers, but as the film continues, it’s absorbingly intimate, rendering the women at the heart of the story increasingly familiar. In a hospital that is literally bursting with life, we witness the miracle and wonder of the human condition.
“The Unknown Girl”
Adèle Haenel stars as Jenny Davin, a talented doctor who refuses to open the door of her practice to a mysterious late-night caller. The next morning, she learns that the caller was a girl who has been found dead, and that the police have no way to identify her. Shocked and guilt-stricken by the news, Jenny resolves to discover the name of the young girl so that she will not be buried anonymously — so that she won’t disappear as if she had never lived.
“Year by the Sea” (Opens in NY; Opens September 15 in LA)
After 30 years as a wife and mother, an empty nester (Karen Allen) retreats to Cape Cod rather than follow her relocated husband (Michael Cristofer) to Kansas. Intent to rediscover herself but plagued with guilt, she questions her decision until stumbling upon a spirited mentor (Celia Imrie). Supported by her literary agent (S. Epatha Merkerson) and a host of locals, including a sexy fisherman (Yannick Bisson), our heroine learns to embrace the ebb and flow of life — ultimately discovering the balance between self and sacrifice, obligation, and desire.
“The Limehouse Golem” — Written by Jane Goldman (Also Available on VOD)
The city of London is gripped with fear as a serial killer — dubbed The Limehouse Golem — is on the loose and leaving cryptic messages written in his victims’ blood. With few leads and increasing public pressure, Scotland Yard assigns the case to Inspector Kildare (Bill Nighy) — a seasoned detective with a troubled past and a sneaking suspicion he’s being set up to fail. Faced with a long list of suspects, including music hall star Dan Leno (Douglas Booth), Kildare must get help from a witness who has legal troubles of her own (Olivia Cooke), so he can stop the murders and bring the killer to justice.
“Fallen” — Co-Written by Kathryn Price and Nichole Millard (Also Available on VOD)
Luce (Addison Timlin) is just an ordinary teen girl until a shocking accident sends her to a mysterious reform school for misfit and eclectic teenagers. There, she meets two students, Daniel (Jeremy Irvine) and Cam (Harrison Gilbertson). Torn between the instant electrifying connection she feels with Daniel and the attracting force of Cam, Luce is quickly pulled into a passionate love triangle. As she tries to piece together deeply fragmented memories, she is left with a feeling of undeniable longing for her one true love and the revelation of a love story that has been going on for centuries, will shatter the boundaries between heaven and earth.
“School Life” (Documentary) — Co-Directed by Neasa Ní Chianáin (Opens in NY and LA) (Also Available on VOD)
This observational documentary follows a year in the lives of two inspirational teachers at Headfort, the only primary-age boarding school in Ireland. Housed in an 18th century estate, school life embraces tradition and modernity. For John, rock music is just another subject alongside Maths, Scripture, and Latin, taught in a collaborative and often hilarious fashion. For his wife, Amanda, the key to connecting with children is the book, and she uses all means to snare the young minds. For nearly half a century these two have shaped thousands of minds, but now the unthinkable looms: What would retirement mean? What will keep them young if they leave?
“Trophy” (Documentary) — Co-Directed Christina Clusiau
This in-depth look into the powerhouse industries of big-game hunting, breeding, and wildlife conservation in the U.S. and Africa unravels the complex consequences of treating animals as commodities.
“True to the Game” — Written by Nia Hill
Based on Terri Woods’ best-selling novel, “True to the Game” is the love story of Quadir Richards (Columbus Short), a charismatic drug lord, and Gena Rollins (Erica Peeples), a young girl from the projects of Philly.
“Anti Matter” (Also Available on VOD)
“Anti Matter” is a sci-fi noir take on the “Alice in Wonderland” tale. Ana (Yaiza Figueroa), an Oxford PhD student, finds herself unable to build new memories following an experiment to generate and travel through a wormhole. The story follows her increasingly desperate efforts to understand what happened, and to find out who — or what — is behind the rising horror in her life.
“Second Nature” — Co-Written by J.C. Ford (One Week Only in Seattle)
One woman (Collette Wolfe) fighting the odds. One womanizer (Sam Huntington) on a winning ticket. One magic mirror to turn it all around. In the small town of Louisburg, the most unusual mayor’s race is about to go down.
“Napping Princess”
The year is 2020, three days before the opening of the Tokyo Olympics. While she should be studying for her exams, Kokone Morikawa (voiced by Mitsuki Takahata) is often dozing off, stuck between reality and a dream world full of fantastic, motorized contraptions. But after her father, a talented but mysterious mechanic, is arrested for stealing technology from a powerful corporation, it’s up to Kokone and her childhood friend Morio to save him.
“Company Town” (Documentary) — Written and Directed by Natalie Kottke-Masocco and Erica Sardarian
“Company Town” is an investigative documentary following one man’s mission to save his town in Crossett, Arkansas, polluted by Georgia-Pacific, one of the nation’s largest paper and chemical plants and owned by Charles Koch and David Koch. They produce Brawny paper towels, Angel Soft toilet paper, and Dixie cups. Neighbors work for the mill and are sick with cancer. “Company Town” represents hidden towns across America battling illness and pollution by Big Business.
September 12
“Clowntergeist”
Emma (Brittany Belland), a college student with a crippling fear of clowns, must come face to face with her worst fear when an evil spirit in the body of a clown is summoned.
“Beach Massacre at Kill Devil Hills”
A young woman (Taya Parker) retreats to her parents’ summer beach home with her friends on the weekend her abusive ex-husband is released from prison, but their idyllic getaway is short-lived.
September 15
“mother!”
A couple’s relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. “mother!” stars Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Ed Harris, and Michelle Pfeiffer in this riveting psychological thriller about love, devotion, and sacrifice.
“First They Killed My Father” — Directed by Angelina Jolie; Written by Angelina Jolie and Loung Ung (Available on Netflix)
A five-year-old girl (Sareum Srey Moch) embarks on a harrowing quest for survival amid the sudden rise and terrifying reign of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.
“All I See Is You”
A blind woman’s (Blake Lively) relationship with her husband changes when she regains her sight and discovers disturbing details about themselves, their marriage, and their lives.
“In Search of Fellini”— Co-Written by Nancy Cartwright
A shy small-town Ohio girl (Ksenia Solo) who loves movies but dislikes reality discovers the delightfully bizarre films of Federico Fellini, and sets off on a strange, beautiful journey across Italy to find him.
September 22
“Battle of the Sexes ” — Co-Directed by Valerie Faris
In the wake of the sexual revolution and the rise of the women’s movement, the 1973 tennis match between women’s World #1 Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and ex-men’s champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs (Steve Carell) was billed as the “Battle of the Sexes” and became one of the most watched televised sports events of all time, reaching 90 million viewers around the world. As the rivalry between King and Riggs kicked into high gear, off-court each was fighting more personal and complex battles. The fiercely private King was not only championing for equality, but also struggling to come to terms with her own sexuality, as her friendship with Marilyn Barnett (Andrea Riseborough) developed. And Riggs, one of the first self-made media-age celebrities, wrestled with his gambling demons, at the expense of his family and wife, Priscilla (Elisabeth Shue). Together, Billie and Bobby served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis court, sparking discussions in bedrooms and boardrooms that continue to reverberate today.
“Woodshock” — Written and Directed by Kate Mulleavy and Laura Mulleavy
“Woodshock” is a hypnotic exploration of isolation, paranoia, and grief that exists in a dream world all its own. Kirsten Dunst stars as Theresa, a haunted young woman spiraling in the wake of profound loss, torn between her fractured emotional state and the reality-altering effects of a potent cannabinoid drug. Immersive, spellbinding, and sublime, “Woodshock” transcends genre to become a singularly thrilling cinematic experience.
“Unrest” (Documentary) — Directed by Jennifer Brea; Written by Jennifer Brea and Kim Roberts
Twenty-eight year-old Jennifer Brea is working on her PhD at Harvard and months away from marrying the love of her life when she gets a mysterious fever that leaves her bedridden and looking for answers. Determined to live, she turns her camera on herself and her community — a hidden world of millions confined to their homes and bedrooms by ME, commonly called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. “Unrest” is, at its core, a love story. How Jen and her new husband forge their relationship while dealing with her mysterious illness is at once heartbreaking, inspiring, and funny.
“Victoria & Abdul” — (Opens in Limited Release; Opens in Wider Release September 29)
The extraordinary true story of an unexpected friendship in the later years of Queen Victoria’s (Judi Dench) remarkable rule. When Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal), a young clerk, travels from India to participate in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, he is surprised to find favor with the Queen herself. As the Queen questions the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance with a loyalty to one another that her household and inner circle all attempt to destroy. As the friendship deepens, the Queen begins to see a changing world through new eyes and joyfully reclaims her humanity.
“Bobbi Jene” (Documentary) — Directed by Elvira Lind (Opens in NY; Opens October 6 in LA)
After a decade of stardom in Israel, American dancer Bobbi Jene decides to leave behind her prominent position at the world-famous Batsheva Dance Company, as well as the love of her life, to return to the U.S. to create her own boundary breaking art. Tracking the personal and professional challenges that await her, Elvira Lind’s film lovingly and intimately documents the dilemmas and inevitable consequences of ambition. “Bobbi Jene” delves into what it takes for a woman to gain her own independence in the extremely competitive world of dance and to find self-fulfillment in the process.
“The Tiger Hunter” — Co-Written and Directed by Lena Khan
Set in the 1970s, “The Tiger Hunter” is the story of Sami Malik (Danny Pudi), a young Indian man who travels to America to become an engineer in order to impress his childhood crush and live up to the legacy of his father — a legendary tiger hunter — back home. When Sami’s job falls through, he takes a low-end job and joins a gang of oddball friends in hopes of convincing his childhood sweetheart that he’s far more successful than he truly is… or perhaps ever could be.
“Gaga: Five Foot Two” (Documentary) (Available on Netflix)
This documentary goes behind the scenes with pop provocateur Lady Gaga as she releases a bold new album and prepares for her Super Bowl halftime show.
“Kingsman: The Golden Circle” — Co-Written by Jane Goldman
“Kingsman: The Secret Service” introduced the world to Kingsman — an independent, international intelligence agency operating at the highest level of discretion, whose ultimate goal is to keep the world safe. In “Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” our heroes face a new challenge. When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, their journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the U.S. called Statesman, dating back to the day they were both founded. In a new adventure that tests their agents’ strength and wits to the limit, these two elite secret organizations band together to defeat a ruthless common enemy in order to save the world.
“Friend Request”
Laura (Alycia Debnam-Carey), a popular college girl, is very active on social media and shares almost everything in her life with her 800+ friends on Facebook. However, after accepting a friend request from an unknown girl named Marina (Liesl Ahlers), Laura becomes obsessed with Marina’s profile, and soon her friends begin to die violently one by one.
“Loving Vincent” — Co-Written and Co-Directed by Dorota Kobiela (Opens in NY; Opens September 29 in LA)
On July 27, 1890 a gaunt figure stumbled down a drowsy high street at twilight in the small French country town of Auvers. The man was carrying nothing; his hands clasped to a fresh bullet wound leaking blood from his belly. This was Vincent van Gogh, then a little known artist; now the most famous artist in the world. His tragic death has long been known, what has remained a mystery is how and why he came to be shot. This feature-length painted animation “Loving Vincent” — the first film of its kind — tells that story.
“Shot” — Co-Written by Anneke Campbell
One bullet. Three lives. Everyone pays. On an average Los Angeles day, a couple on the verge of divorce and a bullied teenager find their lives desperately changed when the teen’s illegal gun accidentally goes off.
September 25
“Teach Us All” (Documentary) — Written and Directed by Sonia Lowman (Available on Netflix)
“Teach Us All” is a documentary and social justice campaign on educational inequality set against the backdrop of the 1957 Little Rock school crisis. Sixty years after the Little Rock Nine faced violent resistance when desegregating Central High in Arkansas, America’s schools continue to represent the key battleground of the Civil Rights Movement. “Teach Us All” demonstrates powerful lessons from history within a timely context, emphasizing the need for unity and collective action to rectify the disparities among America’s children.
September 29
“Te Ata” — Written by Esther Luttrell (Opens in Oklahoma; Opens in NY and LA October 13)
“Te Ata” (TAY’ AH-TAH) is based on the inspiring, true story of Mary Thompson Fisher, a woman who traversed cultural barriers to become one of the greatest Native American performers of all time. Born in Indian Territory, and raised on the songs and stories of her Chickasaw culture, Te Ata’s (Q’orianka Kilcher) journey to find her true calling led her through isolation, discovery, love, and a stage career that culminated in performances for a United States president, European royalty, and audiences across the world. Yet, of all the stories she shared, none are more inspiring than her own.
“Stopping Traffic: The Movement to End Sex Trafficking” (Documentary) — Directed by Sadhvi Siddhali Shree (One Week Only in Limited Release)
A four-year-old child’s arms are cut off to make him a more sympathetic beggar when his captors set him alongside the road. Girls as young as one are used as pawns in cyber porn. Young girls are groomed as prostitutes by “lovers,” many abducted from their homes and taken far away to be held as sex slaves. Parents sell or are tricked into giving up their children. An activist recalls the horrors of being trafficked during her own youth. A reformed trafficker reveals his deepest regrets and recalls his own sexual abuse as a child. These are the stories of documentary “Stopping Traffic.”
“The Sound” — Written and Directed by Jenna Mattison
A supernatural skeptic (Rose McGowan) sets off to debunk paranormal sightings using low frequency sound-waves in an abandoned subway station and is met with unforeseen evil and eerie memories.
“Different Flowers” — Written and Directed by Morgan Dameron
“Different Flowers” follows Millie (Emma Bell) as she approaches her 30s and faces the crucial decision about marriage, love, career, and whether she should settle or take a leap of faith. Making a last-second decision to bail on her lavender-themed Kansas City wedding, leaving her groom Charlie (Sterling Knight) awkwardly standing at the altar, she sets off on an adventure with the help of her free-spirited younger sister, Emma (Hope Lauren).
“Blood Stripe” — Co-Written by Kate Nowlin (Opens in NY; Opens in LA October 13)
Our Sergeant (Kate Nowlin) returns home to a small town in Minnesota, having just completed her third tour with the Marines in Afghanistan. But this time, her usual homecoming rituals with her husband (Chris Sullivan) and her family give Our Sergeant no solace. Unable to sleep, wracked by paranoia and anxiety, it is clear that in addition to the shrapnel scars she bears on her torso, Our Sergeant carries unseen wounds. It is only a matter of time before she can no longer bottle up her trauma and a boisterous welcome home party provokes her into an explosive outburst.
