Women are constantly taking risks to make their voices heard through alternative platforms. The web series and VOD picks this month demonstrate just how bold women media makers are, as they give honest portrayals of life on their own terms — often while making us laugh at the same time.
“Shooting The Moon” follows a young filmmaker trying to make a name for herself, offering an abundance of dry laughs and “Oh my gosh, that’s happened to me” moments along the way. Another women-centric comedy series, the award winning “Shugs & Fats” follows two hijabi women as they discover the nuances of New York City that challenge their cultural upbringing.
Filling the void for millennial women in talk show television of the UK, “Girls Talk London” tackles a range of topics that keep the young people talking. Hosted by Vanessa Sanyauke, this online show is a fun way to stay connected and engage with pop culture commentary from a British woman of color.
The VOD pick this month is “The Bad Mother,” a dramatic comedy that centers on a mid-life career woman named Tara, who has to make some serious choices about work and family. When her private rant about the workplace is made public, there are consequences neither Tara or her family are quite prepared for.
Here are our picks for this month’s women-centric VOD and web series picks.
Web Series
“Shooting The Moon” — Written and Created by Danielle Lapointe
This feminist comedy series follows Danielle (Lapointe), as she pursues independent filmmaking in Montreal. Her daily experiences are full of dry humor in its portrayal of one woman’s life as a struggling female director. Her odd jobs and adventures to the local drugstore are the down-and-dirty side of the life of many aspiring filmmakers. The first seven episodes of the series are available here.
“Girls Talk London” — Hosted and Created by Vanessa Sanyauke
One of the rare talk shows hosted by a woman of color in the UK, “Girls Talk London” is a fun pick me-up for those looking for a new way to hear the trending topics. With talking points about everything from Beyonce to the cost of living, this show was created to change the face of talk show TV, as well as provide a pop culture outlet for young UK women. You’ll feel like you can gab and gossip with this host in the episodes posted here on YouTube.
“Shugs & Fats”
The comedy web series “Shugs & Fats” had its Season 3 premiere in April — and its dynamic duo (Nadia Manzoor and Radhika Vaz) are back and ready to tackle the tough topics: Muslims, feminism, immigration, gentrification, and other aspects of American culture. Selected as part of the Tribeca Film Festival’s online now section, the series follows two young Muslim women living in Brooklyn. They must reconcile their cultural beliefs with their new life of freedom in New York City. You can catch this comedy here.
VOD
“The Bad Mother” — Written and Co-Directed by Sarah Kapoor
“The Bad Mother” stars its writer/director Sarah Kapoor as Tara, a woman in her mid-30s who has to leave her career to raise her children. The dramatic comedy features the real husband and kids of Kapoor, whose character is relatable to many women who struggle to “have it all.” The film is available on its website.
