While the summer movie season is winding down, the release of films by and about women is not. September features a bevy of women-driven indies and star-studded studio releases.
The month kicks off with the U.S. release of “I Am Not a Witch” (September 7), Rungano Nyoni’s feature directorial debut. The BAFTA-winning, fable-esque film sees a young girl in rural Zambia being convicted of witchcraft and sentenced to life at a state-run witch camp.
Julianne Moore stars in “Bel Canto” releasing on September 14. Based on the bestselling novel by Ann Patchett, the film follows opera singer Roxane Coss (Moore) as she travels to South America to give a private performance in the presence of a number of dignitaries, but the occasion quickly takes a turn when guerrilla rebels storm in and take the guests hostage. Another anticipated suspense-filled release is “A Simple Favor,” starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively. The film, also in theaters September 14, revolves around Kendrick’s Stephanie, who is trying to make sense of the mysterious disappearance of her best friend, Emily (Lively).
“Lizzie” (September 14) stars Chloë Sevigny as Lizzie Borden, the prime suspect in the axe murders of her mother and father in the late 1800s, and is a dark and intimate story about secrets and vengeance. “Peppermint” (September 7) also plays on this theme of revenge, following Jennifer Garner’s character as she transforms herself into her own personal vigilante, seeking justice for an attack that killed her husband and young daughter years earlier.
September is also a notable month for the number of must-see documentary features being released. “Kusama: Infinity” (September 7) documents the life and work of world-renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. The documentary, directed by Heather Lenz, traces the difficulties and triumphs in Kusama’s life, and how her artwork continues to influence people all around the world. “Susanne Bartsch: On Top” (September 7) centers around another iconic figure, a woman who hosted elaborate events where many otherwise marginalized people were able to express themselves. “Tea with the Dames” (September 21) continues the trend of legendary women with its sit-down conversation between Dame Eileen Atkins, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Joan Plowright, and Dame Maggie Smith.
Not to be left out, Netflix has slated a number of films for September, including teen romantic-comedy “Sierra Burgess Is A Loser” (September 7). Written by Lindsey Beer and starring Shannon Purser, the movie is a take on the classic Cyrano de Bergerac story, in which a high schooler teams up with a more popular girl to act as a conduit between herself and her crush. An official selection of the Toronto International Film Festival, and written and directed by Nicole Holofcener, “The Land of Steady Habits” (September 14) is a complex story of loss and self-destruction starring Ben Mendelsohn as Anders, a wealthy businessman in finance who gives up his job and family to seek a change.
Here are all of the women-centric and women-made films debuting in September. All descriptions are from press materials unless otherwise noted.
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”
When eight-year-old Shula (Maggie Mulubwa) turns up alone and unannounced in a rural Zambian village, the locals are suspicious. A minor incident escalates to a full-blown witch trial, where she is found guilty and sentenced to life on a state-run witch camp. There, she is tethered to a long white ribbon and told that if she ever tries to run away, she will be transformed into a goat. As the days pass, Shula begins to settle into her new community, but a threat looms on the horizon. Soon she is forced to make a difficult decision – whether to resign herself to life on the camp, or take a risk for freedom.
“Peppermint”
“Peppermint” is an action thriller which tells the story of young mother Riley North (Jennifer Garner), who awakens from a coma after her husband and daughter are killed in a brutal attack on the family. When the system frustratingly shields the murderers from justice, Riley sets out to transform herself from citizen to urban guerilla. Channeling her frustration into personal motivation, she spends years in hiding honing her mind, body, and spirit to become an unstoppable force — eluding the underworld, the LAPD, and the FBI — as she methodically delivers her personal brand of justice.
“Alright Now” (Also Available on VOD)
“Alright Now”
Joanne Sykes (Cobie Smulders) is lead singer of the once popular ’90s indie rock band The Filthy Dukes. They’ve been on the road since 1996, slowly but surely managing to play 150-capped venues. We find the Dukes at their last ever gig, and as the band falls apart, so does Joanne; she finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her with just about everyone, and there’s little left for her once the group disbands. So, thinking about the next step, she drunkenly applies for university. University isn’t quite what Joanne expected – far less wild partying, and a lot more yoga and kale. Whilst there, she falls in love with a librarian called Pete (Richard Elis). It’s far from smooth sailing, but just maybe she’ll re-discover her love for music.
“City of Joy” (Documentary) – Written and Directed by Madeleine Gavin (Available on Netflix)
“City of Joy,” directed by first-time director Madeleine Gavin, follows the first class of women at a revolutionary leadership center in eastern Congo called City of Joy, and weaves their journey as burgeoning leaders with that of the center’s founders — Dr. Denis Mukwege, 2016 Nobel Peace Prize nominee; women’s rights activist Christine Schuler-Deschryver; and radical feminist Eve Ensler, author of “The Vagina Monologues” — three individuals who imagined a place where women who have suffered horrific rape and abuse can heal and become powerful voices of change for their country.
“Sierra Burgess Is A Loser” – Written by Lindsey Beer (Available on Netflix)
“Sierra Burgess Is A Loser”
“Sierra Burgess Is A Loser” is a modern rom-com retelling of the Cyrano de Bergerac story, set in high school. The story centers on Sierra (Shannon Purser, “Stranger Things”), an intelligent teen who does not fall into the shallow definition of high school pretty but, in a case of mistaken identity that results in unexpected romance, she teams with the popular girl (Kristine Froseth, “The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair”) in order to win her crush.
“Kusama: Infinity” (Documentary) – Directed by Heather Lenz; Written by Heather Lenz and Keita Ideno
“Kusama: Infinity”
Yayoi Kusama is best known for her colorful polka dot- and pumpkin-themed designs and her massively popular mirrored Infinity Rooms. For decades, her work pushed boundaries that often alienated her from her peers and those in power in the art world. She was an underdog with everything stacked against her: growing up in Japan during World War II, life in a dysfunctional family that discouraged her creative ambitions, sexism and racism in the art establishment, and mental illness in a culture where that was a particular stigma. In spite of it all, Kusama has endured and has created a legacy of artwork that spans the disciplines of painting, sculpture, installation art, performance art, poetry, and novels.
“Susanne Bartsch: On Top” (Documentary) (Opens in LA) (Available on VOD September 11)
People have flocked to New York City to break free from the oppressive shackles of social norms and find themselves for decades; Susanne Bartsch has dedicated her life to creating a safe haven for just those people. The mother of avant-garde self-expression, Susanne creates imaginative spaces where people can live out their wildest fantasies night after night. “Susanne Bartsch: On Top” explores Susanne’s life and impact through never-before-seen archival footage, verité cinematography, personal testimonials, and highly stylized imagery. From quiet moments at home to the creation of deliciously debaucherous spectacles, Susanne juggles family life with the overwhelming stress of being a one-woman industry. At an age when most of her peers have slowed down, Susanne moves forward more determined than ever.
“Nelly” – Written and Directed by Anne Émond (Opens in NY; Opens in LA September 14)
“Nelly”
A high-class prostitute by choice, Nelly Arcan’s (Mylène Mackay) colorful life is recreated in a multi-layered and stylish mix of make-believe and memoir, revealing Nelly’s alter egos: the neurotic writer, the vulnerable lover, the call girl, and the star. Nelly shocked the literary world with her elegant writing and the lurid details of sex work in her autobiographical first novel, “Whore,” which became a critically acclaimed bestseller. Despite unprecedented success, Nelly’s remarkable life ended in tragedy.
“Hal” (Documentary) – Directed by Amy Scott
Although Hal Ashby directed a remarkable string of acclaimed, widely admired classics throughout the 1970s — “Harold and Maude,” “The Last Detail,” “Shampoo,” “Coming Home,” “Being There,” — he is often overlooked amid the crowd of luminaries from his generation. Ashby was a Hollywood director who constantly clashed with Hollywood, but also a unique soul with an unprecedented insight into the human condition and an unmatched capacity for good. His films were an elusive blend of honesty, irreverence, humor, and humanity. Amy Scott’s exuberant portrait explores that curious oversight, using rare archival materials, interviews, personal letters, and audio recordings to reveal a passionate, obsessive artist.
“Mara” (Also Available on VOD)
“Mara”
After a man is seemingly strangled in his bed, criminal psychologist Kate Fuller (Olga Kurylenko, “Vampire Academy”) interviews the sole witness, the victim’s eight-year-old daughter, Sophie. When asked to identify the killer, Sophie says “Mara.” As Kate digs into the case, she unearths a community of people who claim to be tormented by a shadowy menace, a centuries-old demon who kills her victims as they sleep.
“God Bless the Broken Road” – Written by Jennifer Dornbush and Harold Cronk
“God Bless the Broken Road” tells the story of a young mother (Lindsay Pulsipher, “Law & Order: SVU”) who loses her husband in Afghanistan and struggles to raise their young daughter in his absence. The film combines elements of faith, country music, and stock car racing while paying tribute to those who serve in the military.
September 14
“A Simple Favor” – Written by Jessica Sharzer
“A Simple Favor”
“A Simple Favor,” a stylish post-modern film noir, centers around Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a mommy blogger who seeks to uncover the truth behind her best friend, Emily’s (Blake Lively), sudden disappearance from their small town. Stephanie is joined by Emily’s husband, Sean (Henry Golding), in this thriller filled with twists and betrayals, secrets and revelations, love and loyalty, murder and revenge.
“The Children Act” (U.S. Release) (Also Available on DirecTV)
As her marriage to Jack (Stanley Tucci) founders, eminent High Court judge Fiona Maye (Emma Thompson) has a life-changing decision to make at work: should she force a teenage boy, Adam (Fionn Whitehead), to have the blood transfusion that will save his life? Her unorthodox visit to his hospital bedside has a profound impact on them both, stirring strong new emotions in the boy and long-buried feelings in her.
“Bel Canto” (Available on VOD September 21)
“Bel Canto”
Roxane Coss (Julianne Moore), a famous American soprano, travels to South America to give a private concert at the birthday party of rich Japanese industrialist Katsumi Hosokawa (Ken Watanable). Just as a handsome gathering of local dignitaries convenes at Vice-President Ruben Ochoa’s (Eddie Martinez) mansion, the house is taken over by guerrillas demanding the release of their imprisoned comrades. Their only contact with the outside world is through Red Cross negotiator Messner (Sebastian Koch).
“Lizzie”
“Lizzie”
Chloë Sevigny stars as Lizzie Borden, the notorious woman at the heart of one of the most enduring mysteries in American history. After a lifetime of loneliness, Lizzie finds a kindred spirit in housemaid Bridget Sullivan (Kristen Stewart) and their secret intimacy sparks an unthinkable act. “Lizzie” explores the days leading up to the savage crimes in a dark tale of repression, exploitation, and thwarted dreams.
“Lost Child” – Directed by Ramaa Mosley; Written by Ramaa Mosley and Tim Macy (Opens in NY and LA) (Available on VOD September 18)
“Lost Child” follows an army veteran, Fern (Leven Rambin, “The Path”), who returns home in order to look for her brother, only to discover an abandoned boy lurking in the woods behind her childhood home. After taking in the boy, she searches for clues to his identity, and discovers the local folklore about a malevolent, life-draining spirit that comes in the form of a child.
“MDMA” – Written and Directed by Angie Wang (Also Available on VOD)
It’s 1984, and a gorgeous, young working-class woman, Angie Wang (Annie Q; “Alex Strangelove”) from Newark, NJ, is about to start her freshman year at a prestigious San Francisco university. Raised by her strict father in an urban neighborhood, the sudden jolt from hardship to privileged campus life proves to be a challenge for Angie. When her financial aid is cut, she uses her book and street smarts, along with school resources to synthesize the growing popular drug, Ecstasy. Angie becomes one of the west coast’s largest distributors of X, cutting deals on campus and in posh nightclubs. Her dual life as the Asian “model minority” co-ed and profit-driven drug dealer is further complicated by her desire to help Bree (Aalyrah Caldwell), a girl from one of the Bay Area’s most infamous ghettos who reminds her of her own dark past. Angie lives the high life until her recklessness instigates a sudden tragedy from which she may not recover.
“Where Hands Touch” – Written and Directed by Amma Asante
“Where Hands Touch”
“Where Hands Touch” is a coming of age story set in the most brutal of times: Germany, 1944. Leyna (Amandla Stenberg), the 15-year old daughter of a white German mother (Abbie Cornish, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri”) and a black African father, meets Lutz (George MacKay, “11.22.63”), a compassionate member of the Hitler Youth whose father is a prominent Nazi soldier, and they form an unlikely connection in this quickly changing world. As her mother strives to protect her from the horrors that she could face as a mixed-race German citizen, Leyna is forced to forge her own path as the war goes on and the Nazis increase their atrocities over the Jews and all dissidents. Can she find an ally in Lutz, himself battling a fate laid out before him that he is hesitant to embrace?
“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”
Del (Peter Dinklage) is alone in the world. After the human race is wiped out, he lives in his small, empty town, content in his solitude and the utopia he’s methodically created for himself — until he is discovered by Grace (Elle Fanning), an interloper whose history and motives are obscure. Worse yet, she wants to stay.
“The Land of Steady Habits” – Written and Directed by Nicole Holofcener (Also Available on Netflix)
Anders Hill (Ben Mendelsohn), long ensconced in “the land of steady habits” — the affluent hamlets of Connecticut that dot the commuter rail line — is finally ready to reap the rewards of a sensible life. Into his mid-50s and newly retired, his grown son’s college tuition paid in full, Anders decides he’s had enough of steady habits: he leaves his wife (Edie Falco), buys a condo, and waits for freedom to transform him. Stripped of the comforts of his previous identity, Anders embarks on a clumsy, and heartbreaking, journey to reconcile his past with his present.
“Science Fair” (Documentary) – Directed by Christina Costantini and Darren Foster; Written by Cristina Costantini, Darren Foster, and Jeff Plunkett
“Science Fair”
“Science Fair” follows nine high school students from around the globe as they navigate rivalries, setbacks and, of course, hormones, on their journey to compete at The International Science and Engineering Fair. As 1,700 of the smartest, quirkiest teens from 78 different countries face off, only one will be named Best in Fair.
“A Boy. A Girl. A Dream.” – Written by Samantha Tanner and Qasim Basir
On the night of the 2016 Presidential election, Cass (Omari Hardwick), an L.A. club promoter, takes a thrilling and emotional journey with Frida (Meagan Good), a Midwestern visitor. She challenges him to revisit his broken dreams — while he pushes her to discover hers.
“Don’t Leave Home” (Also Available on VOD)
“Don’t Leave Home”
After recently unveiling her new sculptural exhibit on Irish urban legends, artist Melanie Thomas (Anna Margaret Hollyman, “Mr. Roosevelt”) is contacted by Father Alistair Burke, a reclusive Irish priest who, legend has it, once painted the portrait of a young girl who later disappeared on the very day her image vanished from the painting. Now, summoned by Burke and his cohort to the Irish countryside for a special art commission, Melanie eagerly accepts the offer, never stopping to consider that some urban legends might be true.
“A Wizard’s Tale” – Written by Alicia Núñez Puerto and Jim Hecht (Also Available on VOD)
Balloon kingdoms, dopey police dragons, and happy wizards are exactly how Terry (Toby Kebbell) remembers his Grandmother’s wacky fairy tales — except they are real and definitely not as cheerful.
September 19
“Garry Winogrand: All Things are Photographable” (Documentary) – Directed by Sasha Waters Freyer (Opens in NY)
“What is a photograph?” Garry Winogrand asks in his iconic, gravelly Bronx accent. Winogrand was a compulsive street photographer — although he hated that term — working for decades in NYC, then in Texas and California, to create a huge body of work that comprise an encyclopedic portrait of America. During his lifetime he was celebrated as a favorite of MoMA curator John Szarkowski, and criticized for his book, “Women Are Beautiful,” and then more-or-less forgotten after his untimely death at age 56. Winogrand left behind so many unseen images — more than 10,000 rolls of film and over 250,000 picture — that is has taken until now for the full measure of his artistic legacy to emerge.
September 21
“Colette” – Written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Wash Westmoreland, and Richard Glatzer
“Colette”
After marrying a successful Parisian writer known commonly as “Willy” (Dominic West), Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (Keira Knightley) is transplanted from her childhood home in rural France to the intellectual and artistic splendor of Paris. Soon after, Willy convinces Colette to ghostwrite for him. She pens a semi-autobiographical novel about a witty and brazen country girl named Claudine, sparking a bestseller and a cultural sensation. After its success, Colette and Willy become the talk of Paris and their adventures inspire additional Claudine novels. Colette’s fight over creative ownership and gender roles drives her to overcome societal constraints, revolutionizing literature, fashion, and sexual expression.
“Assassination Nation”
“Assassination Nation”
High school senior Lily (Odessa Young, “High Life”) and her group of friends live in a haze of texts, posts, selfies, and chats, just like the rest of the world. So, when an anonymous hacker starts posting details from the private lives of everyone in their small town, the result is absolute madness, leaving Lily and her friends questioning whether they’ll live through the night.
“Love, Gilda” (Documentary) – Directed by Lisa D’Apolito
“Love, Gilda” opens a unique window into the honest and whimsical world of beloved performer Gilda Radner, whose greatest role was sharing her story. Working with the Radner estate, D’Apolito unearthed a collection of diaries and personal audio and videotapes documenting her childhood, her comedy career, her relationships and ultimately, her struggles with cancer. These never-before-seen-or-heard footage and journal entries form the narrative spine of the documentary, allowing Gilda to tell her own story through laughter and sometimes tears.
“Nappily Ever After” – Directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour; Written by Cee Marcellus and Adam Brooks (Available on Netflix)
“Nappily Ever After”
Violet Jones (Sanaa Lathan) has a seemingly perfect life — a high-powered job, an eligible doctor boyfriend, and a meticulously maintained, flawless coiffure. But after a life-changing event doesn’t go according to her plan, and a hair-raising incident at the hairdresser, her life begins to unravel. Eventually, Violet realizes that she was living the life she thought she was supposed to live, not the one she really wanted.
“A Happening of Monumental Proportions” – Directed by Judy Greer
Daniel (Common), an account manager with a boring job gears up for Career Day at his lovely daughter’s elementary school, while dealing with the fallout of an intra-office romance with his assistant (Jennifer Garner) and his nasty new boss (Bradley Whitford). The boss’ unfortunately nerdy son finds himself instantly entranced with Daniel’s daughter (Storm Reid), seeking advice from their school’s hip shop teacher (John Cho) and depressed music teacher (Anders Holm), without success. The teachers’ principal team (Allison Janney and Rob Riggle) spend their day trying to hide the school’s dead gardener from not only the staff, but also the students and their parents, who experience a Career Day they likely will never forget.
“Tea with the Dames” (Documentary)
“Tea with the Dames”
“Tea with the Dames” is a unique celebration of the lives and careers of four of our most iconic actresses: Dame Eileen Atkins, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Joan Plowright, and Dame Maggie Smith. All four have gone from being fledgling actresses in the 1950s to acting royalty. They’ve watched each other’s careers grow and bloom and have celebrated life’s ups and downs together. “Tea with the Dames” invites you to spend time with these acting legends as they talk about their lives and their professional experiences across theater, television, and film. Candid, funny, caustic, irreverent, poignant, and utterly engrossing, this film is proof that there is truly nothing like a Dame.
“Quincy” (Documentary) – Written and Directed by Rashida Jones and Alan Hicks (Also Available on Netflix)
“Quincy” is an intimate look into the life of icon Quincy Jones. The film seamlessly threads personal vérité moments with private archival footage to reveal a legendary life like no other. A unique force in music and popular culture for 70 years, Jones has transcended racial and cultural boundaries; his story is inextricably woven into the fabric of America. Beyond his own acclaim as a trumpeter, producer, conductor, composer, and arranger, Jones’ inimitable gift to discover the biggest talents of the past half of the century is unprecedented. He has mentored and cultivated the careers of young talents, from Lesley Gore and Michael Jackson to Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith.
“The Song of Sway Lake” – Written by Elizabeth Bull and Ari Gold (Available on VOD September 25)
“The Song of Sway Lake”
A young man’s plot to steal a valuable jazz record from his grandmother’s lake house is derailed when his accomplice falls for the matriarch.
“White Rabbit” – Written by Vivian Bang and Daryl Wein (Also Available on VOD)
This dramatic comedy follows a Korean American performance artist (Vivian Bang, “Always Be My Maybe”) struggling to be authentically heard and seen through her multiple identities in modern Los Angeles.
September 28
“All About Nina” – Written and Directed by Eva Vives
“All About Nina”
Just as Nina Geld’s (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) brilliant and angry stand-up kicks her career into high gear, her romantic life gets complicated, forcing her to reckon with what it means to be creative, authentic, and a woman in today’s culture.
“Little Women” – Directed by Clare Niederpruem; Written by Clare Niederpruem and Kristi Shimek
This modern retelling of “Little Women” brings a new generation together with their mothers, sisters, and friends. From girls playing in the attic to women living with purpose, the March sisters — Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy — are committed to always supporting each other. Yet, growing up sometimes means growing apart. An aspiring writer, Jo (Sarah Davenport, “Stitchers”) leaves for New York, determined to publish a novel. In the wake of rejected draft upon draft, her editor challenges Jo to write about something more interesting: her family.
“Summer ‘03” – Written and Directed by Becca Gleason
“Summer ’03”
Inspired by true events, “Summer ’03” centers on 16-year-old Jamie (Joey King, “The Kissing Booth”) and her extended family, who are left reeling after her calculating grandmother unveils an array of family secrets on her deathbed. Jamie is left to navigate her nascent love life and maintain her closest friendships in the midst of this family crisis.
“Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.” (Documentary)
“Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.”
Activist, mother, and style icon Maya Arulpragasam has been nominated for an Academy Award, a Grammy, and The Mercury Prize. Raised in Sri Lanka, an 11-year-old Arulpragasam immigrated to the UK with her mother and siblings to escape the violence of the civil war. Hers is an inspiring story of identity, creativity, and resilience. Drawn from a cache of never-before-seen personal video recordings from the past 22 years, “Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.” is an intimate and eye-opening profile of M.I.A.‘s remarkable trajectory from young Tamil refugee to global pop star.
“306 Hollywood” (Documentary) – Directed by Elan Bogarín and Jonathan Bogarin; Written by Elan Bogarín, Nyneve Laura Minnear, Jonathan Bogarin
“306 Hollywood” is a magical realist documentary of two siblings who undertake an archaeological excavation of their late grandmother’s house. They embark on a journey from her home in New Jersey to ancient Rome, from fashion to physics, in search of what life remains in the objects we leave behind.
“Bad Reputation” (Documentary) (Also Available on VOD)
It’s true, Joan Jett became mega-famous from the number-one hit “I Love Rock n Roll,” but that’s only part of the story. That fame intensified with the music video’s endless play on MTV, world tours and many hits to follow, like “I Hate Myself for Loving You.” But that staple of popularity can’t properly define a musician. Jett put her hard work in long before the fame, ripping it up onstage as the backbone of the hard-rock legends The Runaways, starting her record label out of the trunk of a car after being rejected by 23 labels, and influencing many musicians — both her cohort of punk rockers and generations of younger bands — with her no-bullshit style. “Bad Reputation” gives you a wild ride as Jett and her close friends tell you how it really was in the burgeoning ’70s punk scene and the rocky road to stardom.
“Hell Fest” – Written by Blair Butler and Seth M. Sherwood
College student Natalie (Amy Forsyth) is visiting her childhood best friend, Brooke (Reign Edwards), and her roommate, Taylor (Bex Taylor-Klaus). If it was any other time of year these three and their boyfriends might be heading to a concert or bar, but it is Halloween, which means that, like everyone else, they will be bound for Hell Fest — a sprawling labyrinth of rides, games, and mazes that travels the country and happens to be in town.
A Dangerous Idea: Eugenics, Genetics and The American Dream (Documentary) – Directed by Stephanie Welch; Written by Stephanie Welch and Andrew Kimbrell (Opens in NY) (Available on VOD October 2)
A dangerous idea has threatened the American Dream from the beginning – the belief that some groups and individuals are inherently superior to others and more deserving of fundamental rights. Such biased eugenic views provided an excuse for some of America’s most shameful history. “A Dangerous Idea” reveals how biologically determined politics has historically disenfranchised women and people of color, provided a rationale for state sanctioned crimes committed against America’s most vulnerable citizens, and now gains new traction under the Trump administration.
