With summer drawing to a close, August brings a bevy of films by and about women that engage with quirky themes and unique perspectives. The month kicks off with “Step,” Amanda Lipitz’ documentary about a girls’ step dance team based in Baltimore. In particular, “Step” follows a group of high school seniors as they prepare to graduate and become the first in their families to head to college.
In the second week of August, we’ll see a pair of films centered on women recreating their lives. “The Glass Castle,” the film adaptation of Jeannette Walls’ bestselling memoir, follows a young woman’s struggle to break free of her dysfunctional parents. The dark comedy “Ingrid Goes West” sees a mentally unstable Aubrey Plaza travel to Los Angeles determined to build a friendship with an Instagram influencer.
August 18 brings the release of “Patti Cake$,” focused on New Jersey girl with dreams of being a hip-hop performer, and the U.S. opening of the highly-anticipated documentary “Whitney: Can I Be Me,” a portrait of the late singer Whitney Houston. Also being released are a pair of women-written horror films: “The Ice Cream Truck,” in which a woman moves to a suburban neighborhood plagued by a murderous ice cream truck driver, and “The Monster Project,” about a group of filmmakers who accidentally summon other-worldly beings.
At the end of the month, Eliza Hittman’s Sundance darling “Beach Rats” arrives, a film woven from themes like teenage rebellion, sex, and love. The long-gestating “Tulip Fever” will also open. The period romance stars Alicia Vikander as an unhappily married woman who falls for the artist (Dane DeHaan) hired to paint her portrait.
Here are all of the women-centric, women-directed, and women-written films debuting in August. All descriptions are from press materials unless otherwise noted.
August 4
“Step” (Documentary) — Directed by Amanda Lipitz
Baltimore is a city that is fighting to save its youth. This documentary chronicles the trials and triumphs of the Senior girls on the high school step team as they prepare to be the first in their families to go to college — and the first graduating class of The Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women. “Step” is more than just a hobby for these girls — it is the outlet that keeps them united and fighting for their goals.
“Fun Mom Dinner” — Directed by Alethea Jones; Written by Julie Yaeger Rudd (Opens in Limited Release) (Also Available on VOD)
Four moms (Katie Aselton, Toni Collette, Bridget Everett, and Molly Shannon), whose only connection is their kids’ preschool class, decide to get together for a harmless “fun mom dinner.” The night begins as a disaster, but the combination of alcohol, karaoke, and a cute bartender leads to an unforgettable night where these seemingly different women realize they have more in common than motherhood and men.
“Kidnap”
A typical afternoon in the park turns into a nightmare for single mom Karla Dyson (Halle Berry) when her son suddenly disappears. Without a cell phone and knowing she has no time to wait for the police, Karla jumps in her own car and sets off in pursuit of the kidnappers. A relentless, edge-of-your seat chase ensues, where Karla must risk everything to not lose sight of her son.
“This Time Tomorrow” — Written and Directed by Lina Rodriguez (One Week Only in NY)
“This Time Tomorrow,” a quietly wrenching family drama set in Bogotá, is about 17-year-old Adelaida (Laura Osma), a gorgeous, rebellious force of nature, and her loving parents, Lena (Maruia Shelton) and Francisco (Francisco Zaldua), with whom she lives. One day, unexpected tragedy strikes and the family must confront their biggest struggle yet.
August 9
“After Love” — Co-Written by Fanny Burdino and Mazarine Pingeot (Opens in NY)
Boris (Cédric Kahn) and Marie (Bérénice Bejo) have decided to separate after 15 years together. They have two girls that they adore. However, cash-strapped Boris is still living in the family home. When all is said and done, neither of the two is willing to give up — and now the apartment is a war zone and their situation a nightmare.
August 11
“The Glass Castle”
Chronicling the adventures of an eccentric, resilient, and tight-knit family, “The Glass Castle” is a remarkable story of unconditional love. Oscar-winner Brie Larson brings Jeannette Walls’ best-selling memoir to life as a young woman who, influenced by the joyfully wild nature of her deeply dysfunctional father (Woody Harrelson), found the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.
“Ingrid Goes West”
Ingrid Thorburn (Aubrey Plaza) is an unhinged social media stalker with a history of confusing “likes” for meaningful relationships. Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olsen) is an Instagram-famous “influencer” whose perfectly curated, boho-chic lifestyle becomes Ingrid’s latest obsession. When Ingrid moves to LA and manages to insinuate herself into the social media star’s life, their relationship quickly goes from #BFF to #WTF. “Ingrid Goes West” is a savagely hilarious dark comedy that satirizes the modern world of social media and proves that being #perfect isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
“Whose Streets?” (Documentary) — Co-Directed by Sabaah Folayan (Opens in Limited Release)
Told by the activists and leaders who live and breathe this movement for justice, “Whose Streets?” is an unflinching look at the Ferguson uprising. When unarmed teenager Michael Brown is killed by police and left lying in the street for hours, it marks a breaking point for the residents of St. Louis, Missouri. Grief, long-standing racial tensions, and renewed anger bring residents together to hold vigil and protest this latest tragedy. Empowered parents, artists, and teachers from around the country come together as freedom fighters. As the national guard descends on Ferguson with military grade weaponry, these young community members become the torchbearers of a new resistance.
“Annabelle: Creation”
Several years after the tragic death of their little girl, a dollmaker and his wife welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home, who soon become the target of the dollmaker’s possessed creation, Annabelle.
“Planetarium” — Co-Written and Directed by Rebecca Zlotowski
Sisters with the ability to communicate telepathically with ghosts (played by Natalie Portman and Lily-Rose Depp) meet an influential film producer (Emmanuel Salinger) after traveling to France for a performance.
“In This Corner of the World” — Co-Written by Chie Uratani (Opens in Limited Release)
Set in Hiroshima during World War II, 18-year-old girl Suzu (voiced by Rena Nounen) gets married and has to find a way to feed her family despite the rationing and lack of supplies. As she struggles with the daily loss of life’s amenities, Suzu must force herself to maintain the will to live.
“Once Upon a Time”
Based on the best-selling fantasy novel “Three Lives Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms,” “Once Upon a Time” is a story of epic battles, deep passion, and the powerful forces that drive mortals and gods alike toward revenge, loyalty, and eternal love. Bai Qian (Yifei Liu), a goddess and monarch from the Heavenly Realms, is sent to the mortal world to undergo a trial to become a High Goddess. There, she meets Ye Hua (Yang Yang), with whom she falls in love and marries. When an old enemy reappears in her life, everything Bai Qian holds dear is threatened.
August 18
“Patti Cake$”
In a coming-of-age story straight out of Jersey, an unlikely rapper (Danielle Macdonald) finds her voice as a one-of-a-kind hip-hop legend in the making in “Patti Cake$,” the first feature film from music video director Geremy Jasper. Set in gritty strip-mall suburbia, “Patti Cake$” chronicles an underdog’s quest for fame and glory with humor, raw energy, and some unforgettable beats.
“Marjorie Prime”
Eighty-six-year-old Marjorie (Lois Smith) spends her final, ailing days with a computerized version of her deceased husband (Jon Hamm). With the intent to recount their life together, Marjorie’s “Prime” relies on the information from her and her kin to develop a more complex understanding of his history. As their interactions deepen, the family begins to develop ever diverging recounts of their lives, drawn into the chance to reconstruct the often painful past. “Marjorie Prime” shines a light on an often-obscured corner in the world of artificial intelligence and its interactions with mortality, and forces us to ask, “If we had the opportunity, how would we choose to rebuild the past, and what would we decide to forget?”
“What Happened to Monday” — Co-Written by Kerry Williamson (Available on Netflix)
In a not so distant future, where overpopulation and famine have forced governments to undertake a drastic “One Child Policy,” seven identical sisters live a hide-and-seek existence pursued by the Child Allocation Bureau. The Bureau, directed by the fierce Nicolette Cayman (Glenn Close), enforces a strict family-planning agenda that the sisters outwit by taking turns assuming the identity of one person: Karen Settman (Noomi Rapace). Taught by their grandfather (Willem Dafoe), who raised and named them — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — each can go outside once a week as their common identity, but are only free to be themselves in the prison of their own apartment. That is until, one day, Monday does not come home…
“Lemon” — Co-Written and Directed by Janicza Bravo (Opens in Limited Release) (Also Available on VOD)
Isaac Lachmann (Brett Gelman) has seen better days. His acting career is tanking, while his colleagues succeed; his blind girlfriend of 10 years plans to leave him; and his own family singles him out as a constant disappointment at their latest reunion. Even as he takes a chance on a new romance, Isaac struggles to define his place in a world that has seemingly turned against him.
“Logan Lucky” — Written by Rebecca Blunt
Trying to reverse a family curse, brothers Jimmy (Channing Tatum) and Clyde Logan (Adam Driver) set out to execute an elaborate robbery during the legendary Coca-Cola 600 race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“Whitney: Can I Be Me” (Documentary) (U.S. Release) (Available on Showtime August 25)
Six-time Grammy winner Whitney Houston was one of the most successful female recording artists of all time, but after a troubled marriage to singer Bobby Brown and many years of struggling with addiction, she died suddenly and tragically at age 48. With never-before-seen footage, candid interviews, and gripping performance highlights of many of Houston’s greatest hits, “Whitney: Can I Be Me” will offer a raw and uncensored look at Houston, exploring the impact her life and death had on the people around her and the world of music.
“The Ice Cream Truck” — Written and Directed by Megan Freels Johnston (Also Available on VOD)
Mary’s husband gets relocated for work which allows her to move back to her suburban hometown. As her family ties up loose ends back home, Mary (Deanna Russo) moves into their new house all alone and… waits. Yet in this idealistic world, something seems very odd. The Ice Cream Man, a symbol of youth and good times, starts killing some of her neighbors and Mary soon learns that the suburbs are scarier in more ways than she ever imagined.
“The Monster Project” — Co-Written by Shariya Lynn
A man joins a documentary film crew to interview real-life monsters, but when the group underestimates the powers they’ve summoned, they must find a way to escape the evil they’ve unleashed.
August 25
“Beach Rats” — Written and Directed by Eliza Hittman
On the outskirts of Brooklyn, Frankie (Harris Dickinson), an aimless teenager, suffocates under the oppressive glare cast by his family and a toxic group of delinquent friends. Struggling with his own identity, Frankie begins to scour hookup sites for older men. When his chatting and webcamming intensify, he begins meeting men at a nearby cruising beach while simultaneously entering into a cautious relationship with a young woman. As Frankie struggles to reconcile his competing desires, his decisions leave him hurtling toward irreparable consequences.
“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.
“Polina” — Written and Co-Directed by Valerie Muller
Trained from an early age by rigorous, perfectionist Professor Bojinski (Aleksey Guskov), Polina (Anastasia Shevtsova) is a promising classic dancer. She is just about to join the prestigious Bolchoï Ballet when she discovers contemporary dance. That throws everything into question on a profound level. Polina leaves it all behind and moves to France to work with famous choreographer Liria Elsaj (Juliette Binoche). Despite her determination and hard work to the point of obsession, Polina just can’t seem to break through. So she moves to Anvers in search of work — and a new life.
“Unleashed” (Also Available on VOD)
Emma (Kate Micucci), a brilliant but awkward app designer, moves to San Francisco after a massive betrayal by her boyfriend with only her beloved pets in tow. One night, drawn by the light of a Supermoon, Emma’s pets escape into the night and are transformed into full-grown men (played by Justin Chatwin, Steve Howey, and Sean Astin), forcing Emma to reconsider her outlook on dating and hilariously work out her trust issues.
“Polaroid” — Written by Blair Butler
High school loner Bird Fitcher (Kathryn Prescott) has no idea what dark secrets are tied to the mysterious Polaroid vintage camera she stumbles upon, but it doesn’t take long to discover that those who have their picture taken meet a tragic end.
“Leap!” — Co-Written by Carol Noble (U.S. Release)
Paris, 1884. An orphaned girl arrives in Paris from Brittany. Félicie Milliner (Elle Fanning) is 11 and has no money but one big, passionate dream: to become a dancer. With nothing left to lose, Félicie takes a big risk: she “borrows” a spoiled brat’s identity and enters the Opera Ballet School. But how long can she be someone else? Mentored by the tough and mysterious cleaner, Odette (Carly Rae Jepsen), Félicie learns that talent is not enough — it takes hard work to be better than her ruthless, conniving fellow students. That and friendship. Felicie’s creative, exhausting, and charismatic best friend Victor (Dane DeHaan) also has a dream: to become a famous inventor. Together, they both encourage each other to reach for the stars.
