FILMS ABOUT WOMEN COMING TO STREAMING/VOD
Lingua Franca – Written and Directed by Isabel Sandoval
After securing a job as a live-in caregiver for Olga (Lynn Cohen), an elderly Russian woman in Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach neighborhood, undocumented Filipina trans woman Olivia’s (Isabel Sandoval) main priority is to secure a green card to stay in America. But when she unexpectedly becomes romantically involved with Olga’s adult grandson Alex (Eamon Farren), issues around identity, civil rights, and immigration threaten Olivia’s very existence.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Isabel Sandoval.
“Lingua Franca” hits select theaters and Netflix August 26. Find screening info here.
African Violet – Directed by Mona Zandi Haghighi
“African Violet”: Habib Majidi
Middle-aged Shokoo (Fatemeh Motamed Arya) finds out that her ex-husband, Fereydoun (Reza Babak), has been placed in a nursing home by their children. She and second husband Reza (Saeed Aghakhani) decide to take care of Fereydoun themselves, but in their own home. In doing so, the relationship between Shokoo and Fereydoun is significantly transformed. This new situation affects Reza and Shokoo’s daily life and unexpected changes take place in the lives of all three characters.
“African Violent” is now available via virtual cinemas.
The Sleepover – Directed by Trish Sie; Written by Sarah Rothschild
Get ready for a sleepover like no other! During a fun weekend sleepover with their best friends, two siblings discover that their seemingly normal stay-at-home mom Margot (Malin Akerman) is actually a former high-end thief in the witness protection program. When both their mom and dad (Ken Marino) are kidnapped and forced to pull one last job with an ex-flame of Margot’s (Joe Manganiello), the siblings must team up to rescue their parents over the course of one action-packed night that they’ll never forget.
“The Sleepover” is now available on Netflix.
The August Virgin – Written by Itsaso Arana and Jonás Trueba
“The August Virgin”: Los Ilusos Films
Eva (Itsaso Arana) is about to turn 33. Her decision to stay in Madrid in the sweltering month of August, when most of the city’s inhabitants flee, is something of a leap of faith — she’s in search of herself and her own life. The neighborhoods around her are bursting with traditional Saint’s Days parties and celebrations, while she encounters a series of old friends and lovers, and meets some new ones. A former boyfriend who still pines for her, a young mother whom Eva’s lost touch with, a sexy Welsh guy with a thing for anti-fascist songs, a Reiki therapist who wants to align her female energies, and a new possible love interest, are just a few of the characters that fill her month of revelations, regrets, and discoveries. “The August Virgin” is the journey of one woman, a dreamy, sensual summer story of delayed coming of age, dancing in the streets, and good conversation.
“The August Virgin” is now available via virtual cinemas.
The Unfamiliar – Written by Jennifer Nicole Stang and Henk Pretorius
A British Army doctor (Jemima West) comes back from a war, thinking that she has PTSD only to discover that there is a more daunting malevolence at work making the life that she knew unfamiliar.
“The Unfamiliar” is now available on VOD.
Watch List
After her husband is mysteriously killed in the drug wars of the Philippines, a widowed mother of three, Maria (Alessandra de Rossi) must confront her own darkness to protect her children from further harm.
“Watch List” is now available via virtual cinemas.
Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present (Documentary)
“Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present”: Matthew Akers
Seductive, fearless, and outrageous, Marina Abramovic has been redefining what art is for nearly 40 years. Using her own body as a vehicle, pushing herself beyond her physical and mental limits — and at times risking her life in the process — she creates performances that challenge, shock, and move us.
“Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present” is now available on OVID.tv.
Marina Abramovic in Brazil: The Space in Between (Documentary) – Written by Marina Abramovic, Fabiana Werneck Barcinski, Jasmin Pinho, and Marco Del Fiol
Marina Abramović travels through Brazil in search of personal healing and artistic inspiration, experiencing sacred rituals and revealing her creative process. The route consists of poignant encounters with healers and sages from the Brazilian countryside, exploring the limits between art and spirituality. A mixture between road movie and spiritual thriller, this documentary brings an unprecedented approach to the intimate creative process of one of the most important artists of our time.
“Marina Abramovic in Brazil: The Space in Between” is now available on OVID.tv.
DieRy – Directed by Jennifer Gelfer
Instagram model Marie Clark (Claudia Maree Mailer) is using her influencer status to pay for her master’s degree in comparative religion, while moving on from an abusive past. It seems Marie’s life is finally on the right track, until her diary is stolen by an obsessive fan who begins sending her love letters informing Marie that they are going to kill anyone who is a danger to her. As friends start feeling like suspects, and bodies begin piling up, Marie must confront the demons of her past in order to unmask the killer and reclaim her life.
“DieRy” will be available on VOD August 25.
Akashinga: The Brave Ones (Short Documentary) – Directed by Maria Wilhelm
With many of Africa’s key species, including elephants, reaching levels near extinction, Akashinga is a radical, new, and highly effective weapon against poaching. Founded in Zimbabwe by former Australian special forces soldier and anti-poaching leader Damien Mander, the women-only team of rangers, drawn from the abused and marginalized, is revolutionizing the way animals are protected and communities are empowered — and its members’ own lives are being transformed.
“Akashinga: The Brave Ones” is now streaming for free on National Geographic’s website.
FILMS MADE BY WOMEN COMING TO STREAMING/VOD
Desert One (Documentary) – Directed by Barbara Kopple
“Desert One”
Two-time Oscar-winner Barbara Kopple re-examines the story of Americans taken hostage by Iranian revolutionaries in 1979. Focusing on a rescue mission, “Desert One” plays like a thriller. Kopple draws upon never-before-heard audiotapes from inside the White House, as well as new interviews with hostages, rescuers, Iranians, and even President Carter, whose 1980 election loss to Ronald Reagan was greatly influenced by this decisive chapter of history.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Barbara Kopple.
“Desert One” is now available in theaters and via virtual cinemas. Find screening info here.
Chemical Hearts – Written by Krystal Sutherland and Richard Tanne
Seventeen-year-old Henry Page (Austin Abrams) has never been in love. He fancies himself a romantic, but the kind of once-in-a-lifetime love he’s been hoping for just hasn’t happened yet. Then, on the first day of senior year, he meets transfer student Grace Town (Lili Reinhart) and it seems all that is about to change. When Grace and Henry are chosen to co-edit the school paper, he is immediately drawn to the mysterious newcomer. As he learns the heartbreaking secret that has changed her life, he finds himself falling in love with her — or at least the person he thinks she is.
“Chemical Hearts” is now available on Amazon Prime.
Other Music (Documentary) – Directed by Puloma Basu and Rob Hatch-Miller
In the summer of 2016, New York City lost a beloved and influential hub of independent music culture. Other Music — located on East 4th Street between Broadway and Lafayette in the heart of Manhattan’s East Village neighborhood — was more than just a store that sold CDs, records, tapes, and magazines. It was a place where bands were formed, record labels were born, and careers were launched. And it was the place where a generation of New Yorkers at the dawn of the Internet age went to discover groundbreaking music by artists who would go on to become household names and underground icons: Animal Collective, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, the National, Interpol, TV On The Radio, Regina Spektor, William Basinski, and countless others.
“Other Music” will be available on VOD August 25.
TV AND EPISODIC PREMIERES
The Vow (Docuseries) – Directed by Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer (Premieres August 23 on HBO)
“The Vow”
“The Vow” is a horror story. The HBO docuseries pulls the curtain back on the NXIVM organization, a headline-making “sex cult” that operated under the guise of a self-help group. Described by founder Keith Raniere as a “methodology for enhancing human experience and behavior,” the Albany-based group attracted followers with promises of connection, compassion, and love. NXIVM roped in members with hopes of improving themselves, but the org was never really dedicated to teaching people to be their best selves — it was about grooming them to willingly provide unpaid labor and worship at the altar of Rainere, whom they’re taught to address as Vanguard. The nine-part docuseries takes its time to unravel the mysteries behind NXIVM, and that’s a good thing. We get to spend time in the seminars that served as followers’ first exposure to NXIVM, and are introduced to the stripe path, a hierarchical structure that sees members moving up in the org and earning different colored sashes. At first, NXIVM seems like little more than a cheesy multi-level marketing scheme. It’s only gradually that the darkness within the cult is revealed. (Laura Berger)
Emily’s Wonder Lab (Premieres August 25 on Netflix)
Acclaimed science communicator Emily Calandrelli takes kids through lively experiments and entertaining activities in this new live-action series.
Women in Film Presents: Make It Work! (Variety Special) – Directed by Hannah Levy and Adriana Robles; Written by Wendy Button, Simbi Hall, and Mishy Turner (Premieres August 26 on The CW)
The one-hour variety special — a combination of music, comedy, and fun celebrity guests — explores the issues and solutions for getting women back to work. The show will benefit the Hire Her Back campaign, a call for industry-wide action to rebuild a workforce that hires women and people of color equitably as we recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol (Premieres August 26 on Netflix)
A riches-to-rags pianist who loses everything but her smile is guided by twinkling little stars to a small town where she finds hope, home, and love.
Her Mother’s Killer (Premieres August 26 on Netflix)
Nearly 30 years after her mom’s murder, a political strategist launches a calculated plan to ruin the Colombian presidential candidate who killed her.
Pure – Directed by Alicia Macdonald and Aneil Karia; Written by Kirstie Swain (Premieres August 27 on HBO Max)
“Pure”: Sophia Spring/Drama Republic Limited
Marnie (Charly Clive) is not OK. She’s had X-rated thoughts for the last 3,672 days and she doesn’t know why or what they mean. When she jumps on a coach to London, she doesn’t know a soul, not even herself, but in the city she will build a new life.
W&H AND TOGETHER FILMS LAUNCH #WOMENTOGETHER
We are very excited to introduce Women Together, a new initiative brought to you by Women and Hollywood and Together Films, with the goal of promoting women-created and women-centric content. Together, we want to use our expertise to set up the infrastructure and engagement to promote women in our industry.
Whether a project needs a closed “influencer” screening, an online outreach campaign for its opening weekend, or a curated post-show Q&A, we work in a variety of ways to increase visibility, viability, impact, and traffic. Our only criteria? To promote content by and/or about women for everyone.
If you are interested in chatting to us about an upcoming project, please reach out at WomenTogether@
HELP SUPPORT BROWN GIRLS DOC MAFIA
Brown Girls Doc Mafia (BGDM) is an initiative advocating for over 4,000+ women and non-binary people of color working in the documentary film industry around the world. BGDM is hosting a fundraiser from August 3-31 to support much needed programs and staff through 2021, and Women and Hollywood is committed to helping BGDM reach their goal of $400k. While the film industry has increased interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion, BGDM has been fighting for change since its inception. Sign up for the BGDM Ally Email List here. Join us in supporting a vital community and the future of documentary. #GoFundBGDM
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK
Rae in “Insecure”
Quote of the Day: Issa Rae Talks Advocating for Herself and Holding the Door Open for Others
Bettina Oberli’s “My Wonderful Wanda” Will Make History When It Opens the 2020 Zurich Film Festival
Olivia Wilde Will Direct a Spider-Woman Movie for Marvel
Documenting Care: Crowdfunding Picks
Women Represent Just 35% of Film Reviewers, According to New Thumbs Down Report
Exclusive: A Feminist Porn Director and Actress Speaks Out in This Red Band Clip of “Morgana”
Isabel Sandoval’s “Lingua Franca” Lands Top Honor at Bentonville Film Festival
Quote of the Day: Jurnee Smollett Calls Out Hollywood’s Fake Anti-Racism
Note: All descriptions are from press materials, unless otherwise noted.
Follow Women and Hollywood on Twitter @WomenaHollywood and Melissa Silverstein @melsil.
To contact Women and Hollywood, email melissa@womenandhollywood.com.
