By Beandrea July and Sophie Willard
This summer’s movie slate boasts an impressive array of female-led and woman-helmed films, from reboots to period pieces, and coming-of-age tales to documentary portraits.
We count at least six films featuring teenage girl protagonists telling their stories: a lesbian teen at a gay conversion therapy camp (“The Miseducation of Cameron Post”), a skater (“Skate Kitchen”), a shy YouTuber (“Eighth Grade”), a hopeless romantic (“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”), the leader of a dystopian resistance (“The Darkest Minds”), and an 18-year-old writer (“Mary Shelley”).
Summer is known for delivering crowd-pleasers, and we’re betting ensemble comedies “Ocean’s 8” and “Crazy Rich Asians” bring in big audiences. Star-studded offerings include “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” with Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, and Lily James, and Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson’s “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” reboot, “The Hustle.”
The season’s highly anticipated indies include “Leave No Trace,” another father-daughter story from “Winter’s Bone” director Debra Granik, and Toni Collette-starrer “Hereditary,” a horror pic that received raves at its Sundance debut.
Two documentaries about legendary women artists — one alive (“Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist”), one dead (“Whitney”) — help balance out the summer lineup with intimate looks into icons. And Amy Adrion’s “Half the Picture” is required viewing; the doc shines an uncompromising spotlight on the film industry and the lack of support and opportunities given to female directors.
Without further ado, here is a list of women-centric, directed, and written films releasing this summer. (Please note that this list is not exhaustive — these are just some season highlights.)
May 25
“Mary Shelley” – Directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour; Written by Haifaa Al-Mansour and Emma Jensen (Available on VOD June 1)
“Mary Shelley”
What it’s about: The tragic events in Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin’s (Elle Fanning) life, including the love affair she embarked on at 18 years old with poet Percy Shelley (Douglas Booth), and the inspiration behind her masterpiece, “Frankenstein.”
Why we’re excited: Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is one of the most famous novels of all time, and it paved the way for the science fiction genre as we now know it. A high-profile spotlight on the author is long overdue. Co-writer/director Haifaa Al-Mansour was keen to portray her subject in a truthful way without losing sight of the impact of Shelley’s legacy. “I really wanted to focus on aspects of her personal journey that may not be that well known but are key to truly understanding everything that went into her writing,” she told us in a recent interview. “I also want people to understand the power of the female voice, and the very uniquely feminine perspective that Mary Shelley brought to the genre of science fiction. Her story is a reflection of her life, as a mother, a wife, and a daughter, and ‘Frankenstein’ would not exist without the tragic backstory of her life.”
June 8
“Half the Picture” (Documentary) – Directed by Amy Adrion
Director Ava DuVernay in “Half the Picture”
What it’s about: A damning yet hopeful look at the state of the film industry with regards to its hiring practices of female directors, with many woman filmmakers — including Ava DuVernay, Catherine Hardwicke, and Lena Dunham — candidly sharing stories of their careers, struggles, and aspirations.
Why we’re excited: Here at Women and Hollywood, we’ve been campaigning for over a decade for gender diversity and inclusion within the film industry, so it should come as no surprise that our very own Founder and Publisher, Melissa Silverstein, appears in Adrion’s wide-ranging documentary. Featuring numerous interviewees from various backgrounds, this is a vital piece of filmmaking, and with the #TimesUp movement issuing its clarion call for gender equity within the entertainment industry, it couldn’t be more timely.
“Hereditary”
“Hereditary”
What it’s about: When the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter (Toni Collette), son-in-law (Gabriel Byrne), and their two children (Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro) begin to uncover increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry.
Why we’re excited: The Sundance hit sees Collette’s character beginning to suspect that she has inherited some sinister gene from her late mother — and has passed it down to her children. As women’s bodies and health become more and more politicized, and regulated, this film could be the next “Get Out”: a horror pic with incisive social commentary. Plus, it features two amazing actresses: Collette and “The Handmaid’s Tale’s” Ann Dowd.
“Ocean’s 8” – Co-Written by Olivia Milch
“Ocean’s 8”
What it’s about: Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) — sister of George Clooney’s Danny Ocean of previous installments — gathers a ragtag crew of women to help her pull off a seemingly impossible heist at the Met Gala in New York City.
Why we’re excited: With the film boasting an exciting ensemble — Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham-Carter, and rising star Awkwafina — it’s hard to deny that it tickles our fancy. Of course, simply rebooting male-dominated franchises with female casts, à la “Ghostbusters,” does not fix the systemic gender issues facing Hollywood, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a female-fronted, slick crime caper while simultaneously holding the industry to a higher standard. As with all female-led properties, the pressure to deliver financially will be huge, but so far experts seem optimistic about the film’s projected box office takings, and it’s not a stretch to imagine that this winning combination of star power, comedy, and, yes, fashion, will draw a crowd.
“Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist” (Documentary) – Directed by Lorna Tucker (Opens in NY; Opens in LA June 15)
“Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist”
What it’s about: We often see icons at the height of their careers; we’re not privy to the many years it took them to get there. “Westwood” is a feature documentary that pieces together the journey that led to the rise of British fashion designer, activist, and icon Vivienne Westwood.
Why we’re excited: The film is the feature-length debut of director Lorna Tucker, whose work has been fêted at Sundance Film Festival and beyond. And who can forget the fact that Westwood designed Carrie Bradshaw’s wedding dress for the botched ceremony to Mr. Big in the first “Sex and City” movie?
June 22
“Boundaries” – Written and Directed by Shana Feste (Opens in NY and LA)
“Boundaries”
What it’s about: When her estranged father, Jack (Christopher Plummer), is kicked out of his nursing home for dealing pot, Laura (Vera Farmiga) is forced to drive him across the country with her son, with each of the boundaries she had established between her father and her life dissolving one by one.
Why we’re excited: With the excellent Farmiga and Plummer portraying the central relationship, we can’t wait to see how writer-director Shana Feste explores the complexity of strained familial dynamics. When we asked her what advice she had for other women filmmakers, she said: “learn to write your own films.” It’s easy to see why, because for “Boundaries” she drew on her relationship with her own father — or as Feste put it, “When your father has been married six times, had six kids with different women, gone to prison for beating casinos, and trafficking marijuana, it’s hard not to be inspired by him creatively.”
June 29
“Woman Walks Ahead” – Directed by Susanna White (Also Available on DirecTV)
“Woman Walks Ahead”
What it’s about: In the 1890s, Catherine Weldon (Jessica Chastain), a portrait painter, travels from Brooklyn to Dakota to paint a portrait of Sitting Bull (Michael Greyeyes), and becomes politicized as she witnesses the Lakota peoples’ struggle over the rights to their land.
Why we’re excited: Chastain has a penchant for choosing fascinating projects and she continues her streak with “Woman Walks Ahead.” Drawing from her love of the epic landscapes of Westerns, director Susanna White worked around the film’s budget limitations by focusing on the land it’s set on. “I made a decision to jettison big set pieces, and focus on the emotional heart of the film,” she told us. “[The heart] is the story of our relationship to the land, and its scale came from the wonder of the natural world rather than big buildings or crowd scenes.” Describing the film as “the story of two oppressed people giving each other hope,” White is optimistic that the film will inspire audiences to reflect on their history, and reconsider the way history is taught.
“The Hustle” – Written by Jac Schaeffer
What it’s about: This female-centric remake of the comedy “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” stars Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson as two down-and-out con artists trying to pull themselves up by entering a contest to get them out of town.
Why we’re excited: Let’s face it: reboots are popular right now. While trends come and go, we’re looking forward to seeing Wilson and Hathaway’s on-screen chemistry. The latter is best known for her dramatic chops, but let’s remember that it was “The Princess Diaries” that first put Hathaway on the map and “The Devil Wears Prada” that launched her career into another stratosphere. And Wilson has been stealing scenes ever since “Bridesmaids” in projects such as the “Pitch Perfect” franchise, “How to Be Single,” and “Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.”
“Leave No Trace” – Directed by Debra Granik; Written by Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini
“Leave No Trace”
What it’s about: A father (Ben Foster) and daughter’s (Thomasin McKenzie) lives are upended when local authorities put an end to their idyllic existence in the forests of Portland, Oregon. The pair are put into social services and are forced to adapt to civilization.
Why we’re excited: “Leave No Trace” premiered at Sundance to rave reviews, and ahead of its official release the film boasts a 100 percent Rotten Tomatoes score. “Winter’s Bone” offered audiences a star-making turn from Jennifer Lawrence, and critics are saying the same of McKenzie’s performance.
July 6
“Whitney” (Documentary)
“Whitney”: Cannes
What it’s about: This is the second major documentary about the life and work of the legendary entertainer Whitney Houston, whose career set records and whose tragic death devastated fans around the world. The film features never-before-seen interviews with Houston’s family, including her mother Cissy Houston and her former husband Bobby Brown.
Why we’re excited: The documentary received the blessing of Houston’s estate, and according to media reports during the film’s debut at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, the documentary has a scoop: sources confirm on-camera that Whitney was the victim of sexual abuse by a family member as a child, offering a window into her personal history, and possibly her substance abuse.
July 13
“Eighth Grade” (Opens in NY)
“Eighth Grade”
What it’s about: “Eighth Grade” follows Kayla (Elsie Fisher) — a shy girl who expresses herself through posting YouTube makeup tutorials — as she navigates a difficult final week of eighth grade before entering high school.
Why we’re excited: If the success of “Lady Bird” — also from “Eighth Grade” distributor A24 — taught Hollywood anything, it’s that there’s an audience for female-led coming-of age-films. Plus, “Eighth Grade” premiered to stellar reviews at Sundance and took home the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the San Francisco International Film Festival. Like “Lady Bird,” the pic is a hit with critics and audiences alike.
July 20
“Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”
“Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”
What it’s about: This sequel follows a pregnant Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) as she learns about her mother’s (Meryl Streep) past.
Why we’re excited: Ten years ago”Mamma Mia!” grossed nearly $610 million worldwide on a budget of $52 million — obviously people loved the idea of Meryl Streep belting out ABBA classics. We bet “Here We Go Again” will strike a similar chord, especially since Cher has joined the cast.
August 3
“The Miseducation of Cameron Post” – Directed by Desiree Akhavan; Written by Desiree Akhavan and Cecilia Frugiuele
“The Miseducation of Cameron Post”
What it’s about: It’s 1993, and teenager Cameron (Chloë Grace Moretz) is caught having sex with a girl from her Bible study group. Appalled, her conservative Christian guardians send her to a gay conversion camp, where she befriends fellow queer teens Jane Fonda (Sasha Lane), and Adam Red Eagle (Forrest Goodluck).
Why we’re excited: Promisingly, the film won the Grand Jury prize in the Dramatic section at Sundance Film Festival, earning praise as an “earnest story of queer subversion.” Akhavan impressed critics in 2014 with her low-budget debut feature “Appropriate Behavior,” in which she also starred, and now she returns with a higher profile for this adaptation of Emily M. Danforth’s novel. With upcoming television show “The Bisexual” on the horizon, which she also wrote, directed, and stars in, Akhavan has established herself as one of contemporary queer cinema’s most important voices, and though “Miseducation’s” journey to theater screens wasn’t easy, we can’t wait to finally see it.
“The Spy Who Dumped Me” – Co-Written and Directed by Susanna Fogel
“The Spy Who Dumped Me”
What it’s about: Best friends Audrey (Mila Kunis) and Morgan (Kate McKinnon) become embroiled in an international conspiracy after Audrey discovers the boyfriend who recently broke up with her is a spy, and being hunted by assassins.
Why we’re excited: Female-fronted action comedies have been on the rise these past few years, but it’s still incredibly rare to find them being made by female directors, which makes “The Spy Who Dumped Me” a refreshing addition to the genre. Director Susanna Fogel tapped McKinnon early on, then set about searching for the right co-star. “It’s a weird guessing game,” she told Entertainment Weekly of matching up Kunis and McKinnon. “You sort of have to psychoanalyze them over coffee for two hours, do the same with the other person, and then decide that they’re not going to push each other’s buttons.” With the film’s test screening reaction described as “phenomenal,” it seems safe to assume Fogel’s efforts at striking on-screen chemistry gold paid off. And with Gillian Anderson in a supporting role described by Morgan in the film’s trailer as “the Beyoncé of the government,” it’s impossible to not be hooked by the premise.
“The Wife” – Written by Jane Anderson
“The Wife”
What it’s about: Joan Castleman (Glenn Close), faithful wife to husband Joe (Jonathan Pryce), begins to question her life choices when Joe is informed he’s to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Why we’re excited: We’re expecting a towering performance from Close as a woman who’s put her husband’s career before her own, and slowly starts to reconsider that decision in later life.
“The Darkest Minds” – Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson; Co-Written by Alexandra Bracken
“The Darkest Minds”
What it’s about: “The Darkest Minds” depicts a “Handmaid’s Tale”-esque dystopia where young people are the enemy. A girl with special powers, Ruby (Amandla Stenberg), leads a group of teens who break out of prison and form a resistance.
Why we’re excited: Following the lead of Ava DuVernay’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” this film allows audiences to imagine the future from the lens of a young woman of color fighting for justice. The pic marks Jennifer Yuh Nelson’s live-action feature debut. She’s best known for directing “Kung Fu Panda 2” and co-directing “Kung Fu Panda 3,” both of which were box office smashes.
August 10
“Skate Kitchen” – Directed by Crystal Moselle; Written by Crystal Moselle, Aslihan Unaldi, and Jen Silverman
“Skate Kitchen”: Sundance
What it’s about: “Skate Kitchen” is the story of Camille (Rachelle Vinberg), a lonely teenager from the New York City suburbs who befriends a group of girl skateboarders in the city. The coming-of-age drama follows a unique urban subculture of youth skaters.
Why we’re excited Crystal Moselle spent over a year with real teenage skateboarder girls to create “Skate Kitchen.” The finished product is partially based on their lives. Her unconventional approach could have something to do with her background in documentary filmmaking. Moselle’s first feature, “The Wolfpack,” a doc about six brothers confined to their New York apartment, won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. “Skate Kitchen” is her narrative feature debut.
August 17
“Crazy Rich Asians” – Co-Written by Adele Lim
“Crazy Rich Asians”
What it’s about: American-born Chinese economics professor Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is traveling to Singapore to meet boyfriend Nick Young’s (Henry Golding) family, but what she doesn’t realize is just how immensely wealthy they are.
Why we’re excited: It’s been 25 years since “The Joy Luck Club,” the last time Hollywood produced such a high-profile film with a cast that boasts so many members of the Asian diaspora. After a shamefully long wait, we’re excited to finally see what — by all accounts — sounds like an opulent, vibrant romantic comedy packed with TV stars Wu, Gemma Chan, Harry Shum Jr., and Ken Jeong; newcomers Golding and “Ocean’s 8’s” Awkwafina; and the screen legend that is Michelle Yeoh. Hopefully this is the start of a much-needed sea change in the face of the industry’s woeful statistics of Asian-American representation.
“The Happytime Murders”
“The Happytime Murders” concept art
What it’s about: In a world where puppets and humans co-exist — shakily — a human detective (Melissa McCarthy) and a puppet PI (Bill Barretta) must work together to find a killer who has it out for the puppet stars of TV show “The Happytime Gang.”
Why we’re excited: “Neo-noir puppet comedy starring Melissa McCarthy” is not a phrase we commonly hear, but it sounds far too intriguing to miss. The production comes from the Jim Henson Company, but with it set in the underbelly of Los Angeles, and featuring drugs, strippers, and murder, it sounds like the film doesn’t share much DNA with “The Muppets” other than its felt inhabitants, so it seems we can expect something totally new.
“To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” – Directed by Susan Johnson; Written by Sofia Alvarez (Available on Netflix)
“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”: Netflix
What it’s about: A teen romance movie with an interesting premise: all the unsent love letters of teen Laura Jean (Lana Condor) are suddenly mailed out by a secret culprit.
Why we’re excited: There are far too few teen pics where Asian actresses aren’t relegated to the sideline role of the best friend — if they appear at all. “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” puts Vietnamese-born American actress Condor front and center. Plus, the project is based on a book written by a woman, was adapted for the screen by a woman writer, is directed by a woman, and stars a woman — it’s great to see so much female talent involved on-screen and behind the scenes.
August 24
“The Bookshop” – Written and Directed by Isabel Coixet (Opens in NY and LA)
“The Bookshop”
What it’s about: In 1959 England, Florence Green (Emily Mortimer) opens a bookshop in the face of opposition from other citizens of her quiet, coastal town.
Why we’re excited: It’s a book-lover’s delight, shored up by a fine cast including Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson, and Bill Nighy. As a celebration of literary culture and small-town subversiveness, “The Bookshop” is set to be one of the more charming films of the summer.
