FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING
Where’d You Go, Bernadette – Written by Holly Gent, Richard Linklater, and Vince Palmo
Based on the beloved novel by Maria Semple, “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” introduces us to Bernadette Fox — played by the always amazing Cate Blanchett — a MacArthur-winning star architect who walked away from her calling, and basically the world, 20 years ago. I was especially struck by how loss has defined Bernadette’s life. One of her signature creations was demolished by a guy who built a parking lot. She also nonchalantly mentions to her former mentor that she’s had four miscarriages and once her daughter was born, she put all of her creative energy into motherhood. You get the sense that this is not something that Bernadette ever talks about. But in this defining scene we realize that her creative fire is tamped down and in order for her to survive and not be a menace (which she has become), she needs to create. The film is an exploration of how art and creativity fuels some people and what happens when they are extinguished. It’s also a great mother-daughter story and Emma Nelson as Bee is a revelation. (Melissa Silverstein)
Find screening info here.
Gwen (Also Available on VOD)
“Gwen”
The trailer for “Gwen” features a mother at the end of her rope, a fair amount of blood, and a young woman screaming — in other words, it looks like a fairly cut-and-dried period horror tale. However, the final result is a lot more interesting and, honestly, much more frightening than that. The titular character (Eleanor Worthington-Cox) is struggling to keep her head above water during what we now call the industrial revolution. She’s taking care of her ill mother and putting on a brave face for her little sister. Meanwhile, her father is off at war, the farm is failing, and local businessmen have their sights set on her family’s land. Her mother’s (Maxine Peake) mysterious illness, which she suspects might be demonic, is scary enough, but the real threat to the family is a world that is becoming more obsessed with money and less concerned with actual people and their needs. So, all in all, “Gwen” is a horror flick — and its monster is capitalism. (Rachel Montpelier)
Olivia (Theatrical Re-Release) – Directed by Jacqueline Audry; Written by Colette Audry and Pierre Laroche (Opens in NY)
“Olivia”
Before “Carol,” there was “Olivia.” Seventy years later, Jacqueline Audry’s romantic period piece remains a landmark of lesbian representation long overdue for rediscovery. Set in a 19th century French finishing school, new English boarder Olivia (Marie-Claire Olivia) quickly finds herself hot for her teacher — the migraine-prone Mademoiselle Clara (Simone Simon) — and her headmistress, Mademoiselle Julie (Edwige Feuillere). Lace and repressed lust abound as affections and attachments fly and the students’ greatest lessons prove to be those of love and attraction. (Quad Cinema)
Find screening info here.
47 Meters Down: Uncaged
A group of five girls from different backgrounds and countries are united by their lust for life and adventure in the coastal metropolis of Recife. Looking to get off the well-worn tourist trail, they hear about a hidden underwater ruin from a local guide and seize the opportunity to discover their own Atlantis beneath the turquoise waves. Unbeknownst to them, the caves where the forgotten city lies are not completely uninhabited, and as they swim deeper into the submerged labyrinth of caves they enter the territory of the deadliest shark species in the ocean.
Find screening info here.
This Changes Everything (Documentary) (Currently Playing) (Opens August 17 at Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan)
Told first-hand by some of Hollywood’s leading voices in front of and behind the camera, “This Changes Everything” takes an incisive look into the history, empirical evidence, and systemic forces that foster gender discrimination and thus reinforce disparity in our culture. Most importantly, the film seeks pathways and solutions from within and outside the industry, as well as around the world.
Find screening info here.
Ready or Not (Opens August 21)
“Ready or Not”
“Ready Or Not” follows a young bride (Samara Weaving) as she joins her new husband’s (Mark O’Brien) rich, eccentric family (Adam Brody, Henry Czerny, Andie MacDowell) in a time-honored tradition that turns into a lethal game with everyone fighting for their survival.
Find screening info here.
FILMS MADE BY WOMEN OPENING
“Blinded by the Light”: Nick Wall/ Sundance Institute
Blinded by the Light – Directed by Gurinder Chadha; Written by Gurinder Chadha, Paul Mayeda Berges, and Sarfraz Manzoor
“Blinded by the Light” is an infectious movie. The film, from “Bend It Like Beckham’s” Gurinder Chadha, tells the story of Javed (Viveik Kalra), a confused young Pakistani-British man who is chafing against his family’s rigid customs. Then one day a friend hands him a Bruce Springsteen cassette (it is set in 1987) and Javed is transformed. He walks around listening to Bruce and his life takes on new meaning. He believes that Bruce is speaking to him about his life and his dreams. He feels seen for the first time. As Javed begins to discover himself, he pushes back against familial expectations and finally feels safe enough to follow his heart and become a writer. Featuring 19 Bruce Springsteen songs, “Blinded by the Light” is a vivid reminder of the power of music to change and influence lives. (MS)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Gurinder Chadha.
Find screening info here.
Tigers Are Not Afraid – Written and Directed by Issa López (Opens in NY)
“Tigers Are Not Afraid”
A haunting horror fairytale set against the backdrop of Mexico’s devastating drug wars, “Tigers Are Not Afraid” follows a group of orphaned children armed with three magical wishes, running from the ghosts that haunt them and the cartel that murdered their parents.
Find screening info here.
American Factory (Documentary) – Directed by Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar (Opens August 21) (Also Available on Netflix)
“American Factory”
In 2014, a Chinese billionaire opened a Fuyao factory in a shuttered General Motors plant in Dayton, Ohio. For thousands of locals, the arrival of this multinational car-glass manufacturer meant regaining their jobs — and dignity — after the recession left them high and dry. “American Factory” takes us inside the facility to observe what happens when workers from profoundly different cultures collide. At first, the culture clash is humorous. Transplanted Chinese workers attend trainings on dealing with their peculiarly casual and “chatty” American counterparts. But tensions mount. Slack safety standards and meager wages ignite serious doubts among the American rank and file. Low productivity and talk of unionization trigger a cascade of controls from Chinese management. Meanwhile, something ominous — the specter of job loss from automation — looms.
The Second Sun – Directed by Jennifer Gelfer (Opens in NY)
Two lost souls meet one cold night in Post-war Manhattan. Before dawn deep rooted secrets will be revealed. And this man and woman will believe in life, love, and most importantly, miracles again. The human spirit can survive anything.
Find screening info here.
Aquarela (Documentary) – Written by Aimara Reques and Victor Kossakovsky (Opens in NY and LA)
“Aquarela” takes audiences on a deeply cinematic journey through the transformative beauty and raw power of water. Filmed at a rare 96 frames-per-second, the film is a visceral wake-up call that humans are no match for the sheer force and capricious will of Earth’s most precious element. From the precarious frozen waters of Russia’s Lake Baikal to Miami in the throes of Hurricane Irma to Venezuela’s mighty Angels Falls, water is “Aquarela’s” main character, with the filmmakers capturing her many personalities in startling visual detail.
Find screening info here.
TV PREMIERES
“This Way Up”
Green Frontier (Premieres August 16 on Netflix)
When a young Bogotá-based detective gets drawn into the jungle to investigate four femicides, she uncovers magic, Nazis, and her own true origins.
Victim Number 8 – Created by Sara Antuña and Marc Cistaré (Premieres August 16 on Netflix)
No one can be trusted after a terrorist bombing in Bilbao kills seven and destroys the lives of the suspected jihadi and everyone around him.
Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time (Comedy Special) – Directed by Jeannie Gaffigan (Premieres August 16 on Amazon Prime)
Jim Gaffigan doesn’t understand why we aren’t more honest about the reasons we don’t want to attend events, while at the same time embraces lying to kids. From horses and dog birthdays to traveling and museums, Jim continues to impress. Get ready to sit back and enjoy some “Quality Time.”
Simon Amstell: Set Free (Comedy Special) – Directed by Julia Knowles (Premieres August 20 on Netflix)
He’s looking for validation. He’s settling for something close. Say hello to the humor and humanity of Simon Amstell.
This Way Up – Created by Aisling Bea (Premieres August 21 on Hulu)
A young woman (Aisling Bea) puts her life back together after suffering from a nervous breakdown.
VOD/STREAMING RELEASES
“The Sun Is Also a Star”
Awake – Written by Elana Zeltser (VOD, August 16)
Booksmart – Directed by Olivia Wilde; Written by Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, Katie Silberman, and Emily Halpern (VOD, August 20)
A Dog’s Journey – Directed by Gail Mancuso; Written by Maya Forbes, Cathryn Michon, W. Bruce Cameron, and Wallace Wolodarsky (VOD, August 20)
The Hustle – Written by Jac Schaeffer (VOD, August 20)
The Sun Is Also a Star – Directed by Ry Russo-Young; Written by Tracy Oliver (VOD, August 20)
WOMEN AND HOLLYWOOD IN THE NEWS
Half the movies at Toronto Film Festival are made by women (The Irish Times)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BLOG
Maryam Touzani’s “Adam” will screen in Contemporary World Cinema
Apply Now: TIFF’s Inaugural Media Mentorship Program
Women in Film Sexual Harassment Hotline Expands to NY
Phoebe Waller-Bridge Writing a Feature Film with Plans to Direct
Female Rage Against the Machine: Crowdfunding Picks
Octavia Spencer to Receive GLSEN’s 2019 Inspiration Award
Guest Post: How I’m Honoring Women in Space — and Music — at the Hollywood Bowl
TIFF 2019 Adds More Galas and Special Presentations, Reveals World Cinema Lineup
Locarno Film Festival Releases Gender Stats for the First Time
Apply Now: The 2020-21 AFI Directing Workshop for Women
Tavi Gevinson Talks Her Latest Play “Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow”
Note: All descriptions are from press materials, unless otherwise noted.
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