By Rachel Montpelier and Kate Gardner
Summer might be over, but the impressive array of fall movie releases guarantees you won’t succumb to the back-to-school and work blues quite yet. The fall film floodgate opens with Leyla Bouzid’s “As I Open My Eyes.” Set during the days before the Jasmine Revolution and, eventually, the Arab Spring, the movie is about a young Tunisian woman’s ultimate act of defiance: singing in a band.
A week later audiences have another chance to spend time with Bridget Jones and her diary. “Bridget Jones’s Baby,” directed by Sharon Maguire (who directed the 1st film) again stars Renée Zellweger, who has become a symbol of discussions on sexism and body image, Hollywood’s discomfort with women who have experienced a 40th birthday, and the impossible beauty standards actresses must meet.
For those interested in more blatantly and purposefully political fare, do yourself a favor and seek out Deborah S. Esquenazi’s “Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four.” The documentary explores the miscarriage of justice surrounding a group of lesbians falsely accused of gang-rape. Esquenazi examines The Four’s alleged crime, their lack of access to good counsel, the media fascination with satanism, and their ongoing effort to clear their names.
The end of September brings us movies from some female masters — Mira Nair and Andrea Arnold. Nair’s film “The Queen of Katwe” tells the true story of Phiona Mutesi, a young girl from the Ugandan slum Katwe, who became a chess champion. Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o plays her mom and David Oyelowo plays her coach. Andrea Arnold again goes with a virtually unknown cast of young kids who live outside the mainstream going cross country selling magazine subscriptions. Her knack for discovering new talent is again on display with lead Sasha Lane as Star in “American Honey.”
October’s docket includes the Erin Cressida Wilson-penned “The Girl on the Train,” based on Paula Hawkins’ best-selling novel. The thriller about a woman’s obsession with a couple is sure to satiate your desire for a Halloween scare. If tension-filled, edge-of-your-seat films just aren’t your bag, you could also catch “Certain Women,” “The Handmaiden,” or “The Eagle Huntress.” “Certain Women,” is a literary adaptation from writer-director Kelly Reichardt and traces the overlapping stories of three Montana women. “The Handmaiden,” co-written by Seo-Kyung Chung, is another literary adaptation that takes the stereotypical film noir plot and livens it up with a sapphic romance between a grifter and a Lady. “The Eagle Huntress” documents the life of Aisholpan and her quest to break the proverbial glass ceiling by becoming the first female eagle hunter in 12 generations.
Last, but not least, we can give thanks for the November premieres of the remastered “Daughters of the Dust,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” and “Moana.” Julie Dash’s “Daughters of the Dust,” a multi-generational saga about Gullah women on St. Helena Island, celebrates its 25th anniversary with a limited theatrical run. The premiere of sure-to-be-a-mega-hit “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” again proves that J.K. Rowling, who wrote its screenplay, just can’t quit the Potter-verse. And, finally, Pixar takes another, much-needed step toward diversity and gender parity with “Moana.” The animated adventure is about a young Polynesian girl, a dangerous journey to preserve her family’s way of life, and her encounters with the mythological demigod Maui.
Here are this autumn’s women-centric, directed, and written films we’re most looking forward to. (Please note that this list is not exhaustive — it is simply a highlight reel of September, October, and November’s releases.)
September 9
“As I Open My Eyes” (“À Peine J’Ouvre les Yeux”) — Directed by Leyla Bouzid; Written by Leyla Bouzid and Marie-Sophie Chambon (Opens in NY; Opens in LA September 30)
What it’s about: It’s tradition versus progress in this musically charged French-Tunisian film. A young woman in a political band (Baya Medhaffar) navigates familial, cultural, and social ideals in the buildup to the Jasmine Revolution in Tunis.
Why we’re excited: As Islamophobia and xenophobia run rampant, we’re happy to see a movie with a Middle Eastern heroine. According to director Leyla Bouzid, the main impetus for “As I Open My Eyes” was her desire to document everyday life on the eve of the Jasmine Revolution and, eventually, the overall Arab Spring. “I, too, really wanted to film,” she explains. “Not the revolution, but what everyone had lived through and been subjected to: the suffocating everyday life, the total power of the police, the surveillance, the fear and paranoia.” Capturing the authenticity of life in Tunis extended to the casting process, as well. “I searched for real musicians that suited my characters,” Bouzid says. “It was like a real concert.”
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Leyla Bouzid.
“Cameraperson” (Documentary) — Directed by Kirsten Johnson
What it’s about: Cinematographer Kirsten Johnson has worked on many films — “Two Towns of Jasper,” “Pray the Devil Back to Hell,” “The Oath,” and “Happy Valley” among them. With “Cameraperson,” Johnson tells her own story and investigates what it means to film and be filmed.
Why we’re excited: When Kirsten Johnson won the grand prize at the Sheffield Doc/Fest for “Cameraperson,” festival juror and Oscar winning director Nino Kirtadze lauded the film and Johnson for her “real bravery… to turn the camera on herself.” After cutting her teeth as the cinematographer for films like “The Hunting Ground” and “The Invisible War,” Johnson’s directorial debut combines her professional experiences with an intimate look at her personal life. Considering Johnson’s immense talent as a visual storyteller, we cannot wait to see how she balances the sublime aspects of cinematography with her own story.
September 16
“Bridget Jones’s Baby” — Directed by Sharon Maguire; Co-Written by Helen Fielding and Emma Thompson
What it’s about: Fortysomething and single again, Bridget Jones’s (Renée Zellweger) love life takes a turn when she meets the dashing Jack (Patrick Dempsey), a suitor who is everything her ex, Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth), is not. But, when Bridget finds herself pregnant, she is only 50 percent sure of the father’s identity.
Why we’re excited: There seems to be a new Marvel movie or series premiere every other month (if we’re lucky). So we’re ecstatic that one of our favorite cinematic heroines, the flawed and wonderful Bridget Jones, is back in her own franchise’s third installment. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, leading lady Renée Zellweger likened women aging to “a woman stepping into her more powerful self.” And, after the infuriating Owen Gleiberman debacle, what would be better than a successful, funny movie featuring a heroine who — despite having the audacity to be and look middle-aged — is still loved just as she is?
“Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four” (Documentary) — Directed by Deborah S. Esquenazi (Opens in NY)
What it’s about: Four Latina lesbians — Elizabeth Ramirez, Cassandra Rivera, Kristie Mayhugh, and Anna Vasquez — were wrongfully convicted of gang-raping two little girls in San Antonio, Texas. This documentary follows the so-called “San Antonio Four” as they fight against mythology, faux-science, homophobia, and prosecutorial fervor in their struggle for exoneration.
Why we’re excited: If “Orange Is the New Black” has inspired you to feel empathy for prisoners, or realize that the justice system is inconsistent at best and irredeemably racist and hypocritical at worst, seeing “Southwest of Salem” is a must. Likewise, if you were incensed by how Marcia Clark became the epicenter of media misogyny while viewing “American Crime Story.” In an interview with Women and Hollywood, director Deborah S. Esquenazi explained how “deep-seated homophobia and misogyny [were] at the root of the highly-sexualized trials […]” We are looking forward to a true crime story that focuses on the way the public treats alleged female criminals, and, like Esquenazi, hope “that this massive injustice sticks with people as they leave the theater,” and that they take it upon themselves to help or find out more.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Deborah S. Esquenazi.
September 23
“The Dressmaker” — Written and Directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse
What it’s about: After years of working in exclusive Parisian fashion houses, Tilly Dunnage (Kate Winslet) returns home to the Australian outback to reconcile with her eccentric mother Molly (Judy Davis). Armed with her sewing machine and style, Tilly transforms the women of the town and takes revenge on those who did her wrong.
Why we’re excited: Finally, about a year after it premiered in Australia, we get to see Kate Winslet in a movie that emphasizes her acting chops and her comedic gifts. It’s also a treat to see Winslet’s “stylish outsider” improve the lives of the people around her with her unapologetically-feminine gifts as a designer and seamstress. “The Dressmaker” is sure to resonate with Winslet fans, those with a yen for period-specific fashion, and anyone who enjoys a “Chocolat”-esque narrative about a free-spirited woman blowing into a stuffy town and shaking things up with her charm, skills, and talent.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Jocelyn Moorhouse.
“Queen of Katwe” — Directed by Mira Nair
What it’s about: Ten-year-old Phiona Mutesi’s (Madina Nalwanga) life changes when she meets Robert Katende (David Oyelowo) and learns the game of chess. Phiona realizes she has a gift and quickly advances in tournaments. Meanwhile, her mother Harriet (Lupita Nyong’o) teams up with Katende to help Phiona fulfill her extraordinary potential and escape a life of poverty in the Katwe slum of Kampala, Uganda.
Why we’re excited: Like “As I Open My Eyes,” “Queen of Katwe” takes a character who would usually be two-dimensional or token, and brings her into the spotlight. Phiona’s arc is a coming-of-age story wherein she discovers an inherent talent, develops a passion for it, and decides to pursue it no matter what. It’s a story we don’t get to see very often, especially with female characters. We are delighted that director Mira Nair focuses on Phiona’s story and her experiences in competitive chess. Third, Lupita Nyong’o is making her first live appearance in a movie since 2014 (she delivered voice and motion-capture performances in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and “The Jungle Book”). We all need more Lupita Nyong’o in our lives.
September 30
“American Honey” — Written and Directed by Andrea Arnold
What it’s about: Star (Sasha Lane), an adolescent girl from a troubled home, runs away with a traveling sales crew. Finding her feet in this gang of teenagers, one of whom is Jake (Shia LaBeouf), she soon gets into the group’s lifestyle of hard-partying nights, law-bending days, and young love.
Why we’re excited: “American Honey” earned writer-director Andrea Arnold her third Cannes Jury Prize, and we know it won’t be her last. What’s more, Arnold has the incredible gift of creating female characters that are barely ever seen outside of her films. Knowing that Arnold is interested in the real, volatile emotions of young women, while refusing to judge them, has us counting down the days to “American Honey’s” premiere.
October 7
“The Girl on the Train” — Written by Erin Cressida Wilson
What it’s about: Based on Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel of the same name, recently divorced Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt) spends her commute on the train fantasizing about the couple that lives down the street from her ex-husband. However, one morning she witnesses something shocking and finds herself tangled in a mystery that might uproot the lives of everyone involved.
Why we’re excited: Paula Hawkins’ debut novel broke records in 2015, and we’re psyched to see how screenwriter Erin Cressida Wilson adapts the source material for the big screen. More importantly, we’re excited to see another complex female character cut from the same cloth as “Gone Girl’s” Amy Dunne. Director Tate Taylor promises a scene featuring Emily Blunt that will chill viewers to the bone. Blunt is already receiving praise for her performance; and she might receive her first Oscar nomination for the role.
October 14
“Certain Women” — Written and Directed by Kelly Reichardt
What it’s about: Writer-director Kelly Reichardt adapts three short stories from Maile Meloy’s collection “Both Ways Is The Only Way I Want It.” Each story features the intersecting lives of three women in Montana.
Why we’re excited: The film received critical acclaim when it premiered at Sundance earlier this year, with particular attention paid to director Kelly Reichardt. Variety critic Guy Lodge referred to Reichardt as “the quietest of great American filmmakers.” Set against a stunning backdrop and with a cast that includes Michelle Williams, Laura Dern, and Kristen Stewart, this melancholy and enthralling drama is sure to draw even more praise and, perhaps, even some awards attention.
“The Handmaiden” — Co-Written by Seo-Kyung Chung
What it’s about: In 1930s Korea, a con-man (Ha Jung-woo) hires pickpocket Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri) to be the maid of the fragile and mysterious Lady Hideko (Min-hee Kim) in order to steal her fortune. Those plans go awry when Hideko falls for Sook-hee.
Why we’re excited: Lavish period pieces tend to center on heterosexual romances, so the film’s forbidden love affair between two women is a unique and powerful twist. Director Park Chan-wook adapted the film from the novel “Fingersmith” by Sarah Waters, changing the setting from Victorian England to Korea under Japanese colonial rule. He was nominated for the Palme d’Or when the film premiered at Cannes, and the film was also eligible for the Queer Palm award. The Hollywood Reporter’s Deborah Young gave the film a glowing review, praising the “giddy mixture of historical romance and auteur eroticism.” Expect this buzzy thriller to dominate the conversation surrounding Best Foreign Language Film.
October 28
“The Eagle Huntress” (Documentary)
What it’s about: “The Eagle Huntress” follows Aisholpan, a 13-year-old girl, as she trains to become her Kazakh family’s first female eagle hunter in 12 generations.
Why we’re excited: Women and Hollywood’s Melissa Silverstein saw the film when it premiered at Sundance, and describes it as “inspiring” and “one of the most beautifully shot movies I’ve ever seen.” The documentary captures Aisholpan’s experiences, from her first hunt to a competition at a large fair. “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens” breakout Daisy Ridley provides the narration and serves as one of the film’s executive producers. It’s amazing to see Ridley using her “Star Wars” fame and platform to tell real women’s stories, and this documentary is likely to be an uplifting success.
November 18
“Daughters of the Dust” (25th Anniversary Theatrical Re-Release) — Written and Directed by Julie Dash
What it’s about: In 1902, three generations of Gullah women in the Peazant family on St. Helena Island are preparing to migrate to the American mainland.
Why we’re excited: Writer-director Julie Dash became the first African-American woman to have a film distributed theatrically in the United States. This groundbreaking film still resonates today, even influencing Beyoncé’s visual album “Lemonade.” New York Times critic Stephen Holden called it a “film of spellbinding beauty” during the movie’s original release. The film has been called “a powerful and moving work of art that showcases an important period in American’s history” by Tim Lanza, the Vice President and Media Archivist for Cohen Film Collection. Following the film’s theatrical run, “Daughters of the Dust” will also be released on Blu-ray.
“The Edge of Seventeen” — Written and Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig
What it’s about: The life of high school junior Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) was awkward enough before her all-star older brother (Blake Jenner) started dating her best friend (Haley Lu Richardson). Feeling more alone than ever, an unexpected friendship gives Nadine a glimmer of hope.
Why we’re excited: It’s always good to see coming-of-age stories centered around the growing pains of young women. Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld is sure to deliver a wonderful performance as the lead role, and we expect supporting actors Kyra Sedgwick and Woody Harrelson to provide strong turns, as well. In an awards season packed with the usual grim fare, a hopeful story about growing up will provide a breath of fresh air.
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” — Written by J.K. Rowling
What it’s about: Return to the magical world with Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), a magizoologist. Newt makes a brief stop in 1926 New York, misplaces a magical case, and must contend with the escape of several fantastic beasts.
Why we’re excited: Whatever your thoughts on the recent play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” one can’t help but feel a tinge of nostalgia when “Hedwig’s Theme” starts to play. This marks the first time that J. K. Rowling has written for the screen, and “Fantastic Beasts” is the first film set in Harry Potter’s world since 2011’s “Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows: Part 2.” The film is sure to kick off a fresh, magical new franchise and thrill the young and young at heart alike.
November 23
“Moana” — Co-Written by Pamela Ribon
What it’s about: A spirited teenager (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) and once-mighty demigod (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) embark on an epic adventure across the ocean.
Why we’re excited: Moana is a unique princess in Disney’s mostly white line-up, and her character serves as a progressive step. Directors John Musker and Ron Clements, creators of some of the most beloved Disney classics, are returning to helm the film. “Hamilton” maestro Lin-Manuel Miranda is composing the new songs for the film, and could win the Oscar to complete his EGOT. Plus, the film’s two trailers showcase gorgeous animation and character design. But, most importantly, Moana herself will be a breath of fresh air and a welcome heroine for girls of all ages.
