Weekly Update for April 22: Women Centric, Directed and Written Films Playing Near You

Films About Women Opening This Week

“The Meddler” — Written and Directed by Lorene Scafaria (Opens in LA and NYC)
Susan Sarandon is every young woman’s nightmare — a mom with nothing to do but meddle in her daughter’s life. So begins “The Meddler,” written and directed by Lorene Scafaria. But don’t fear: The movie doesn’t make you hate Marnie as played by Sarandon. She actually grows on you. The comedy breaks Hollywood conventions by letting Marnie struggle with finding who she is in a world where she has been taught that her jobs are to be a wife and a mother. She find friends (kind of weirdly) and love (really cute). This is Sarandon’s best role in years and a reminder of why she has endured. (Melissa Silverstein) Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Lorene Scafaria.

“The Huntsman: Winter’s War”
Evil queens abound in this sequel to “Snow White and the Huntsman” that leaves Snow White out of the film. That’s part of the problem. We really miss Snow White. The movie looks gorgeous — Emily Blunt (Freya) and Charlize Theron (Ravenna) wear some of the most stunning costumes, but the movie lacks a good story. Jessica Chastain and Chris Hemsworth play lovers separated by Freya. They go in search of the mirror which holds all evil. The meet some funny dwarves along the way and lots of cool battles ensue. (Melissa Silverstein)

“Nina” — Written and Directed by Cynthia Mort
She was one of the century’s most extraordinary talents, a 15-time Grammy nominee and Grammy Hall of Fame Recipient; her mesmerizing songs and passionate politics combined to make her the unforgettable Nina Simone (Zoe Saldana). But fame and fortune came with a price,and her later years were riddled with depression, alcohol abuse and isolation. Rediscovering the meaning of her life and work took courage, strength and one true friend: Clifton Henderson (David Oyelowo), the man who started out as her assistant and eventually became her loyal manager. With Clifton’s encouragement, the “high priestess of soul” began a courageous journey back to her music, and eventually, herself. (Press materials)

“Sworn Virgin” — Directed by Laura Bispuri; Written by Laura Bispuri and Francesca Manieri (Opens in NYC)
Hana Doda (Alba Rohrwacher) is not ready nor interested in following the typical path on a woman in her small community of Albania. She takes an oath to be a sworn virgin and by doing that, she is free to live as a man. But when she leaves her insulated world — and experiences life — it awakens her sexuality that she’s denied for years to survive and she’s finally able to discover who she is. (Melissa Silverstein) Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Laura Bispuri.

“Eva Hesse” (Documentary) — Written and Directed by Marcie Begleiter (Opens in NYC April 27, Opens in LA May 13)
As the wild ride of the 1960’s came to a close, Eva Hesse was cresting the wave of a swiftly rising career. One of the few women recognized as central to the New York art scene, she had over 20 group shows scheduled for 1970 in addition to being chosen for a cover article in ArtForum Magazine. Her work was finally receiving both the critical and commercial attention it deserved. “Eva Hesse” deepens the understanding of this extraordinary artist, not only in terms of her ground-breaking work, but also the life that provided the fertile soil for her achievements. With dozens of new interviews, high quality footage of Hesse’s artwork and a wealth of newly discovered archival imagery, the documentary not only traces Eva’s path but engages in a lively investigation into the creative community of 1960’s New York and Germany. (Press materials)

“Queen Mimi” (Documentary)
When you feel like a queen, even a laundromat can be a palace. Marie “Mimi” Haist defied her adulterous husband and moved onto the streets in her 50s, living in parking lots and doorways until finding her “home” one stormy night between rows of washers in a Californian laundromat. Encouraged to stay by a more than generous laundry owner, Mimi’s “the past is the past” philosophy endeared her to regular fluff and fold clients and, after more than 20 years, Mimi has made some unlikely friends, ranging from local loves to Hollywood A-listers Zach Galifianakis and Renee Zellweger. Filmed over five years by barista/actor/director Yaniv Rokah while he worked at a cafe across the street, “Queen Mimi” is the story of an unlikely hero. Now 89, Mimi reminds us to never give in and never give up, and that if you ever find yourself in the gutter, to never stop looking at the stars. (Press materials)

Films About Women Currently Playing

“Sky” — Directed by Fabienne Berthaud; Co-Written by Fabienne Berthhaud and Lucy Allwood
“Hostile Border” — Written and Co-Directed by Kaitlin McLaughlin (Also available on VOD)
“Wedding Doll” (Playing in NYC; Opens in LA April 29)
“One More Time” (Also available on VOD)
“Look at Us Now, Mother!” (Documentary) — Written and Directed by Gayle Kirschenbaum
“The Boss” — Co-Written by Melissa McCarthy
Jeanne Dielman 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles — Written and Directed by Chantal Akerman
“H. “— Co-Written and Co-Directed by Rania Attieh
“Sold”
“God’s Not Dead 2”
“Darling”
“April and the Extraordinary World”
“My Big Fat Greek Greek Wedding 2” — Written by Nia Vardalos
Krisha
“The Bronze” — Co-Written by Melissa Rauch
“The Divergent Series: Allegiant”
“Lolo “— Directed by Julie Delpy; Written by Julie Delpy and Eugenie Grandval
“Hello, My Name is Doris” — Co-Written by Laura Terruso
“Marguerite” — Co-Written by MConfirmarcia Romano
“10 Cloverfield Lane”
“Eye in the Sky”
“Miracles From Heaven” — Directed by Patricia Riggen
“Whiskey Tango Foxtrot”
“Zootopia”
“The Other Side of the Door”
“Cemetery of Splendour”
“The Witch”
“How To Be Single” — Co-Written by Dana Fox and Abby Kohn
“The 5th Wave” — Co-Written by Susannah Grant
“The Lady in the Van”
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”
“Brooklyn”

Films Directed by Women Opening This Week

“Elvis & Nixon” — Directed by Liza Johnson; Co-Written by Hanala Sagal
On a December morning in 1970, the King of Rock ‘n Roll showed up on the lawn of the White House to request a meeting with the most powerful man in the world, President Nixon. Starring Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon as Elvis Presley and two-time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey as Richard Nixon, comes the untold story behind this revealing, yet humorous moment in the Oval Office forever immortalized in the most requested photograph in the National Archives. (Press materials) Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Liza Johnson.

Films Directed by Women Currently Playing

“The Adderall Diaries” — Written and Directed by Pamela Romanowsky
Echo Park — Directed by Amanda Marsalis; Written by Catalina Aguilar Mastretta (Also available on Netflix
“Rio, I Love You” — Co-Directed by Nadine Labaki; Co-Written by Nadine Labaki and Elena Soarez
“The Syndrome” (Documentary) — Directed by Meryl Goldsmith (Also available on VOD)
“Be Here Now: The Andy Whitfield Story” (Documentary) — Directed by Lilibet Foster
“The Invitation” — Directed by Karyn Kusama (Also available on VOD)
Standing Tall — Directed by Emmanuelle Bercot; Written by Emmanuelle Bercot and Marcia Romano
“Catching the Sun” (Documentary) — Directed by Shalini Kantayya
“Sweet Bean” — Written and Directed by Naomi Kawase
“City of Gold” (Documentary) — Directed by Laura Gabbert
Kung Fu Panda 3 — Co-Directed by Jennifer Yuh

Films Written by Women Opening This Week

None

Films Written by Women Currently Playing

“Barbershop: The Next Cut” — Co-Written by Tracy Oliver
“High Strung” — Co-Written by Janeen Best Damian
“Meet the Blacks” — Co-Written by Nicole DeMasi
“No Letting Go” — Co-Written by Randi Silverman
“My Golden Days” — Co-Written by Julie Peyr
“The Young Messiah” — Co-Written by Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh
“London Has Fallen” — Co-Written by Katrin Benedikt
“Race” — Co-Written by Anna Waterhouse
“Room” — Written by Emma Donoghue

TV Premieres This Week

“Sherpa” (Documentary) — Written and Directed by Jennifer Peedom (Premieres April 23 on The Discovery Channel)
“Sherpa” is an inside look at how Mount Everest’s Sherpa community united in grief and anger to reclaim the mountain following the deadly avalanche that struck on April 18, 2014, killing 16 of their members. We often hear about Westerners who go to great lengths both physically and financially to climb Mt. Everest. But little people know about the Sherpas who risk their lives so people can climb what is thought of as the most dangerous mountain in the world. Directed by Australian filmmaker Jennifer Peedom, begins by following legendary Sherpa Phurba Tashi’s world record-breaking attempt to summit Everest for the 22nd time. However, when the avalanche happens Peedom captures a historic moment where the Sherpas organize to demand be recognized for the work they are doing. (Press materials) Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Jennifer Peedom.

“Keepers of the Game” (Documentary) (Premieres April 23 on ABC)
Lacrosse was born in Akwesasne Mohawk Territory as a sacred game, traditionally reserved for men. Just off the reservation at Salmon River High in Fort Covington, NY an all-Native girls lacrosse team comes together, seeking to be the first Native women’s team to bring home a Section Championship. (Tribeca Film Festival/ Cara Cusamano)

“Amy Schumer Presents Rachel Feinstein: Only Whores Wear Purple” (Comedy Special) (Premieres April 23 on Comedy Central) — Written by Rachel Feinstein
In Rachel Feinstein’s first hour-long special, she brings her blunt humor to a variety of topics, including her love of Christian sleepovers and the purposelessness of dick pics. Feinstein embodies a variety of memorable characters like her terrifyingly mature middle school friend, her judgmental grandmother and porn star Jenna Jameson. (Press materials)

“Veep” Season 5 (Premieres April 24 on HBO)
Former Senator Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) has accepted the call to serve as Vice President of the United States. The job is nothing like she imagined and everything she was warned about. “Veep” follows Meyer and her staff as they attempt to make their mark and leave a lasting legacy, without getting tripped up in the day-to-day political games that define Washington. (Press materials)Read Women and Hollywood’s feature on “Veep.”