By Keno Katsuda and Antora Majumdar
Although 2018 is more than halfway over, there are still plenty of amazing women-centric and women-created films yet to be released.
Emma Thompson leads one of the first films in this year’s fall lineup. In “The Children Act,” she plays a family court judge that must make a life-or-death ruling when she hears the case of a young man who is refusing a blood transfusion. Another pick surrounding a life-changing choice is Rungano Nyoni’s debut feature, “I Am Not A Witch,” in which a young girl must decide whether to falsely claim that she practices witchcraft. You may want to pack some Kleenex for both of these.
September looks to be a great month for documentaries, with two features about women who carved out spaces for themselves in a world that hadn’t yet made room for them. The first is “Love, Gilda,” the story of comedian Gilda Radner, one of the original cast members of “Saturday Night Live.” Radner paved the way for countless other women in the male-dominated world of comedy, and the film is an ode to the life of laughter she lived despite the many hardships she faced. The second is “Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.,” a closeup look at how one woman went from being Maya, the daughter of Sri Lankan immigrants, to M.I.A., world-renowned rapper.
While Halloween will be over by then, November’s films carry a particularly haunting tone with two big thrillers, each with a star-studded cast. First up is “The Girl in the Spider’s Web,” the newest addition in the Millennium film series. This time, “The Crown’s” Claire Foy will take on the lead role of Lisbeth Salander. Later in November is “Widows,” co-written by Gillian Flynn and starring Viola Davis and Michelle Rodriguez. In this dark tale, four women whose husbands all died while attempting a heist try to settle their husbands’ debt by finishing the job themselves.
Here are some of the women-centric and women-created films we’re most looking forward to this fall. (Please note that this list is not exhaustive — it is merely a highlight reel of September, October, and November’s releases.)
September 7
“I Am Not a Witch” – Written and Directed by Rungano Nyoni (Opens in NY; Opens in LA September 14)
“I Am Not a Witch”
What it’s about: In a remote Zambian village, eight-year-old Shula (Maggie Mulubwa) is accused of being a witch and is sent to a witches’ camp. Shula is then faced with the harrowing choice of either remaining in the camp, thereby claiming her identity as a witch, or running away — and risk being transformed into a goat.
Why we’re excited: “I Am Not a Witch” is the critically-acclaimed feature debut for writer-director Rungano Nyoni. The film was screened in the Directors’ Fortnight section at Cannes last year and won the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer for Nyoni and producer Emily Morgan. Nyoni stated that she visited witch camps in Zambia and Ghana for research. This effort seems to have paid off, as “I Am Not a Witch” manages to take some very old narratives about women and witchcraft and create a dynamic story for our time. The film currently holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was recently selected as the UK’s Foreign-Language pick for next year’s Oscars, so this is one to watch for a jump-start on awards season.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Rungano Nyoni.
September 14
“The Children Act” (Opens in the U.S.) (Also Available on DirecTV)
What it’s about: Fiona Maye (Emma Thompson) is a High Court judge in London who oversees complex cases in the area of family law — which is ironic given her own far-from-idyllic home life. But when the case of a 17-year-old boy (Fionn Whitehead) who is refusing a life-saving blood transfusion on religious grounds comes to Fiona, she is impacted in a way that she could never have anticipated.
Why we’re excited: We are undoubtedly living in divided times in which discussion and nuance are often lost to voices simply trying to shout over each other. “The Children Act” instead forces one to sit down and engage in a difficult decision and consider different sides of an argument. Heavy-hitter Emma Thompson brings a complexity to the character of Fiona, portraying a nuanced character in the face of both professional and personal crises — a fully realized woman character we don’t often see onscreen.
“A Simple Favor” – Written by Jessica Sharzer
What it’s about: Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a mommy blogger living in a small town, is simultaneously envious and in awe of her best friend, Emily (Blake Lively). Emily seems to have it all: she’s glamorous, wealthy, and in love with her handsome husband (Henry Golding). But when Emily mysteriously disappears, Stephanie is forced to investigate and realizes that there may be a darker side to her friend that she missed all along.
Why we’re excited: The murder-mystery genre has recently become extremely popular on the heels of hits such as “Gone Girl,” “Big Little Lies,” and “Sharp Objects.” “A Simple Favor” is a noir flick that looks to fit into this genre perfectly with its twists, betrayals, and murder galore. Kendrick and director Paul Feig — who recently helmed the all-women “Ghostbusters” remake — are known for their more lighthearted fare, so this should be an exciting turn for them both.
“I Think We’re Alone Now” – Directed by Reed Morano (Opens in NY and LA; Opens Nationwide September 21)
“I Think We’re Alone Now”
What it’s about: In a post-apocalyptic world, Del (Peter Dinklage) is the sole survivor. Or so he thinks. One day, he discovers a young woman named Grace (Elle Fanning). Will she become a new companion for him to pass the days with, or is there something more to her sudden appearance?
Why we’re excited: Director Reed Morano is no stranger to creating worlds that eerily resemble our own, but with a darker twist. Morano brings a tone similar to her previous work in “The Handmaid’s Tale” to this new film. In 2013, she became one of the youngest members inducted into the American Society of Cinematographers, so it’s no surprise that “I Think We’re Alone Now” looks visually mesmerizing. But what is most exciting is the film’s exploration of the human psyche. As Morano explained to Women and Hollywood, “it’s not about why the human population has been wiped out: it’s a story about how you would feel if that were to happen.”
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Reed Morano.
September 21
“Colette” – Written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Wash Westmoreland, and Richard Glatzer
What it’s about: This biographical drama traces the life of Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (Keira Knightley), a writer who moves from her country village to bohemian Paris in the late 19th century. Colette marries the domineering Willy (Dominic West) and begins to ghostwrite a sensational novel for him based on her own life. After its success, Colette faces ups and downs as she learns to assert herself for creative independence and personal liberation.
Why we’re excited: Though “Colette” is a beautiful period piece, its messages look to be perfectly suited for our time. Plus, director Wash Westmoreland co-wrote the script with his late husband, Richard Glatzer. Together, they wrote and directed the film “Still Alice,” which won Julianne Moore the Oscar for Best Actress in 2015. Many are predicting a similarly award-winning turn for Knightley’s stunning work here. Popular theater actress Denise Gough and Eleanor Tomlinson also showcase nuanced performances as Colette’s lovers Mathilde de Morny and Georgie Raoul-Duval. Don’t miss “Colette” if you would like to see an empowering narrative of queer women onscreen.
“Love, Gilda” (Documentary) – Directed by Lisa D’Apolito
“Love, Gilda”
What it’s about: “Love, Gilda” is a documentary about the life of comedian Gilda Radner, one of the original seven cast members of “Saturday Night Live.” Home videos, diaries, television clips, and interviews with comedians including Melissa McCarthy, Amy Poehler, and Maya Rudolph piece together this amazing story of Gilda’s life from her childhood through her comedy career and her battle with cancer.
Why we’re excited: “SNL” is one of the longest-running shows on network TV, and is known for its political impressions, cultural commentary, and flat-out funny bits. It’s hard to imagine a world without comedians like Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who launched their careers behind “SNL’s” Weekend Update desk. But before Tina and Amy was Gilda, an aggressively funny actress who stole the show in every scene she was in. “Love, Gilda” is both the portrait of a woman who was unafraid to be herself and a testament to someone who paved the way for so many other female comedians. In an interview with Deadline, director Lisa D’Apolito said, “Gilda felt equal to men. She could be up there with John Belushi and all these guys and if it wasn’t working her way, she’d find a way to make it work.”
“Nappily Ever After” – Directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour; Written by Cee Marcellus and Adam Brooks (Available on Netflix)
What it’s about: Violet Jones (Sanaa Lathan) seems to have it made, but her rabid perfectionism and her inability to (literally and figuratively) let her hair down are making her completely unhappy. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, Violet shaves off all of her hair. In doing so, she starts to let go of the painstaking effort in maintaining her appearance to rethink what matters in her life.
Why we’re excited: Director Haifaa Al-Mansour made her feature debut with “Wadjda,” which she wrote and directed. It was the first feature-length film to be shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and remains the only woman-directed feature made in Saudi Arabia. Similarly, Al-Mansour hopes to break new ground in “Nappily Ever After,” a film that radically exposes the effort that women of color must invest to “look good.” The film has already inspired the hashtag #NappilyEverAfter, with which women of color have shared their stories about their natural hair. At the beginning of the film, Violet ties her self-esteem to men. But by cutting off her hair, she signals that she wants to take control and declare her independence. Regarding the shave, Lathan said: “It was terrifying! But to me, it’s so much a part of her journey. My character is in crisis, and everything that she thought she knew is unraveling. So the emotions were all over the place for me. It was actually really powerful and kind of weirdly cathartic and freeing.” We think that the experience of seeing this film will be cathartic for many of its viewers as well.
September 28
“Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.” (Documentary)
“Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.”
What it’s about: “Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.” is a documentary following the life of rapper and songwriter M.I.A., who fled Sri Lanka as a refugee named Maya and moved to London. There, she grew up and eventually went on to become a pop star, going by the name M.I.A. The film is an intimate look at how Maya’s upbringing and the experiences she had shaped the person and artist she is today.
Why we’re excited: Long before “Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.” came to be, the artist actually had the idea to make a documentary about herself. Because M.I.A. began filming her home life, the documentary has a uniquely personal touch. In an interview with Highsnobiety, M.I.A. said about her footage, “I wanted to explore how to solve my family’s problems. My dad was absent, and my brother had gotten into trouble. He was in a young offenders institute at 16, so I was really using the camera to show him ‘him’ and to see how he understood himself.” Clips like that bring M.I.A.’s story to life and make this documentary one not to miss.
October 19
“What They Had” – Written and Directed by Elizabeth Chomko
What it’s about: Hilary Swank stars as Bridget, the daughter of Ruth (Blythe Danner), who is suffering from dementia. The film surrounds the relationships between the members of the family who are home during Christmastime.
Why we’re excited: “What They Had” is actor-playwright Elizabeth Chomko’s debut feature and is already accruing critical acclaim. In an interview with Women and Hollywood, Chomko explained: “The film examines gender dynamics within families, and how they’ve shifted quickly from one generation to the next. It looks at the impact childhood narrative has on one’s identity, and the ways we can be held hostage by it or held accountable for it.” Be sure to watch for nuanced turns from Swank, Danner, Michael Shannon, and Taissa Farmiga.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Elizabeth Chomko.
“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” – Directed by Marielle Heller; Written by Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty
What it’s about: In “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” Melissa McCarthy stars as Lee Israel, an author who has written profiles of a slew of famous women including Katharine Hepburn and Estée Lauder. But when she falls on hard times, Lee becomes a celebrity letter forger and thief to keep her career going.
Why we’re excited: We can’t help but look forward to seeing Melissa McCarthy in a new role. Though she takes a more dramatic turn in this film, she is still sure to exercise her comedic chops throughout. The film also provides a welcome opportunity to learn about the life of a fascinating, largely unknown woman. As director Marielle Heller has said, “I like telling stories about women who would otherwise be [ignored].”
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Marielle Heller.
“The Hate U Give” – Written by Audrey Wells
What it’s about: Teenager Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg) is just trying to fit in in both her mostly white, preppy high school and her poor, mostly black neighborhood. But both these worlds are irreversibly shaken when Starr witnesses her friend Khalil (Algee Smith) being shot by a white police officer. When the shooting becomes headline news, Starr decides to become an activist to stand up for what she believes in and to honor the memory of her friend.
Why we’re excited: The book upon which the film is based was famously optioned before it was even published. Written by Angie Thomas, “The Hate U Give” debuted at the top of the New York Times YA bestseller list in 2017 — where it has stayed ever since — and was widely praised by critics. It’s therefore no understatement to say that this film has already had hype for some time. Activist and actress Amandla Stenberg said of Starr: “Here’s this girl navigating code-switching between black and white environments, the blessings and pitfalls of family, friendship, relationship, and community, all while coping with the wildly tragic reality of seeing her childhood friend shot and killed by a white police officer.” She continued, “Starr’s voice is relatable and these heinous acts are real. There were moments where I could not separate myself from her or the transgressions of a consistently discriminatory and brutal system. It was critical to dive in as deep as possible in order to honor the experiences of those who have had their loved ones fall victim to a racist and violent regime.” Stenberg’s words are a reminder that this film is a must-watch for activists and allies everywhere.
November 2
“A Private War” (Opens in NY and LA; Opens Nationwide November 16)
“A Private War”
What it’s about: Based on the life of war correspondent Marie Colvin, “A Private War” stars Rosamund Pike as Colvin, a fierce journalist who thrusts herself into dangerous situations to share the stories she believes must be told. Despite surviving harrowing experiences and dealing with her resulting PTSD, Colvin was determined to report from the Syrian city Homs, which was still under siege in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. Together with war photographer Paul Conroy (Jamie Dornan), we follow Colvin on her last assignment.
Why we’re excited: In a speech Colvin gave in 2010, she said: “Our mission is to report these horrors of war with accuracy and without prejudice. We always have to ask ourselves whether the level of risk is worth the story. What is bravery, and what is bravado?” Even after losing sight in her left eye when hit by an RPG blast in Sri Lanka, she continued to work in the field, never shying away from danger. “There’s a word that people often use with courageous people, that they’re fearless, and I think it’s interesting because she had fear and did what she did anyway,” Pike said in an interview with EW. “It’s feeling your fear and then having the courage to put one foot in front of the other no matter how afraid you are, to carry on doing what you believe in.” This film is another essential addition to the growing list of the stories of extraordinary women being told. Following in the footsteps of films including “Hidden Figures” and “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story,” “A Private War” shines a light on Colvin’s incredible grit and exposes not only her dedication to her work but the immense legacy she left behind.
November 9
“The Girl in the Spider’s Web”
What it’s about: “The Girl in the Spider’s Web” reintroduces the character of Lisbeth Salander, with Claire Foy taking over the role from Rooney Mara. “Spider’s Web” looks to be another dark, visceral spy thriller that can’t be missed.
Why we’re excited: David Fincher’s take on the Millennium series was released almost seven years ago, so Sony decided that it was high-time for a soft reboot. “Spider’s Web” marks a new, darker turn for Claire Foy, who is most famous for her role as the much more posh Queen Elizabeth II, so we’re looking forward to seeing her kick some butt as feminist vigilante Lisbeth. The film also stars Vicky Krieps, whom we last saw in her star-making turn as Alma in “Phantom Thread.”
November 16
“Widows” – Written by Gillian Flynn and Steve McQueen
“Widows”
What it’s about: Four women, all strangers to each other, have one thing in common: their husbands died in the same heist that went sideways. Now, settled with an inescapable debt, these widows (Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, and Cynthia Erivo) team up to pull off the job that got their husbands killed.
Why we’re excited: Fresh off this summer’s blockbuster hit “Ocean’s Eight,” “Widows” looks to be a darker take on the woman-led heist movie. “Gone Girl” writer Gillian Flynn helped pen this adaptation of the 1980s UK television series of the same name, so there’s no doubt this film will offer audiences some unexpected twists and turns. Not to mention “Widows” promises exciting performances from some of the most celebrated actresses of color working today.
November 21
“Second Act” – Written by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Justin Zackham
What it’s about: Jennifer Lopez stars as Maya in “Second Act,” a woman with no college degree who is stuck in a low-paying job. When her friend falsifies Maya’s resume, she shockingly gets her dream job at a high-ranking firm and must work to succeed in her new career — all while keeping her true past a secret.
Why we’re excited: “Second Act” looks to be a great feel-good movie to watch with your close friends. Rather than centering on Maya’s romance, the film focuses on the strength of Maya’s relationship with her best friend, Joan (Leah Remini). An excellent supporting cast of women, including Vanessa Hudgens, Annaleigh Ashford, and Charlyne Yi, rounds out this movie,. And let’s not forget that this film marks Lopez’s triumphant return to rom-coms. The last one she toplined solo was 2010’s “The Back-Up Plan.”
November 23
“The Favourite” – Written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara
“The Favourite”
What it’s about: Set in the early 18th century, we take a closer look at the reign of Queen Anne (Olivia Colman), now a temperamental ruler in poor health. Her friend, Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), helps her with the day-to-day demands of the kingdom. When a new servant named Abigail (Emma Stone) comes to work for them, Sarah takes her under her wing, and Abigail quickly becomes close to the Queen. But Abigail has loftier ambitions than being a servant, and she will do whatever it takes to see them fulfilled.
Why we’re excited: As the days get cooler and winter starts to settle in, what could be better than making yourself a cup of tea and immersing yourself in a period piece? Especially one high on bad manners, back-stabbing, and petty power-grabs? Not much, we’d say. With its elaborate gowns, horse-drawn carriages, and “All About Eve”-esque rivalry, “The Favourite” will transport you to an entirely different time and place. The film has already received rave reviews, and you won’t be able to look away from any of its acclaimed leading actresses for a second.
November 30
“If Beale Street Could Talk”
“If Beale Street Could Talk”: Annapurna
What it’s about: Based on the classic novel by James Baldwin, “If Beale Street Could Talk” centers on Tish (Kiki Layne) and Fonny (Stephan James), a young couple in love living in Harlem. When Fonny is falsely accused of rape and imprisoned, Tish discovers she is pregnant. She and her family must work to get Fonny out of prison before the birth of their child.
Why we’re excited: Director Barry Jenkins is of course known for his Oscar-winning second feature, “Moonlight,” which immediately made his work and actors household names. This follow-up, therefore, has us extremely excited, and Layne is poised to become a breakout star. The film’s starry cast also includes Regina King, Teyonah Parris, Dave Franco, Brian Tyree Henry, Diego Luna, and Ed Skrein.
