FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING
Portrait of a Lady on Fire – Written and Directed by Céline Sciamma (Opens in NY and LA)
Brittany, France, 1760. Marianne (Noémie Merlant), a painter, is commissioned to do the wedding portrait of Héloïse (Adèle Haenel), a young lady who has just left the convent. Héloïse is a reluctant bride-to-be, and Marianne must paint her without her knowing. She observes her by day, and secretly paints her at night. Intimacy and attraction grow between the two women as they share Héloïse’s first and last moments of freedom, all whilst Marianne paints the portrait that will end it all.
Find screening info here.
Little Joe – Directed by Jessica Hausner; Written by Jessica Hausner and Géraldine Bajard
“Little Joe”
“Little Joe” follows Alice (Emily Beecham), a single mother and dedicated senior plant breeder at a corporation engaged in developing new species. She has engineered a special crimson flower, remarkable not only for its beauty but also for its therapeutic value: if kept at the ideal temperature, fed properly, and spoken to regularly, this plant makes its owner happy. Against company policy, Alice takes one home as a gift for her teenage son, Joe (Kit Connor). They christen it “Little Joe.” But as their plant grows, so too does Alice’s suspicion that her new creation may not be as harmless as its nickname suggests.
Find screening info here.
Knives and Skin – Written and Directed by Jennifer Reeder (Also Available on VOD)
“Knives and Skin”
“Knives and Skin” follows the investigation of a young girl’s disappearance in a stylized version of a rural Midwest town that hovers just above reality, led by an inexperienced local sheriff. Unusual coping techniques develop among the traumatized small-town residents with each new secret revealed. The ripple of fear and suspicion destroys some relationships and strengthens others. The backdrop of trauma colors quintessential rituals — classrooms, dances, courtship, football games — in which the teenagers experience an accelerated loss of innocence while their parents are forced to confront adulthood failures.
Find screening info here.
In Fabric (Available on VOD December 10)
“In Fabric”
A lonely woman (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), recently separated from her husband, visits a bewitching London department store in search of a dress that will transform her life. She’s fitted with a perfectly flattering, artery-red gown — which, in time, will come to unleash a malevolent curse and unstoppable evil, threatening everyone who comes into its path.
The Disappearance of My Mother (Documentary) (Opens in NY; Opens in LA December 13)
“The Disappearance of My Mother”
Benedetta wants to disappear. An iconic fashion model in the 1960s, she became a muse to Warhol, Dali, Penn, and Avedon. As a radical feminist in the 1970s, she fought for the rights and emancipation of women. But at the age of 75, she becomes fed up with all the roles that life has imposed upon her and decides to leave everything and everybody behind, to disappear to a place as far as possible from the world she knows. Hiding behind the camera, her son Beniamino witnesses her journey. Having filmed her since he was a child in spite of all her resistance, he now wants to make a film about her, to keep her close for as long as possible — or, at least, as long as his camera keeps running.
Find screening info here.
The Islands – Written by Amanda Lauer, Timothy A. Chey, and Umi Perkins
Shot entirely in Hawaii, “The Islands” is based on the incredible true story of Chiefess Kapiolani (Teuira Shanti Napa), who descended into an active volcano to demonstrate her new-found faith, and ushered in a new beginning in Hawaii.
Find screening info here.
The Lost Footage of Leah Sullivan – Written by Anna Stromberg and Burt Grinstead (Opens in LA December 11)
A young journalism student decides to return to her hometown to investigate a brutal murder that took place 30 years prior. Without much hope of finding any real answers, she interviews a series of local characters, all of whom leave their own bewildering take on the legendary Mulcahy Murders in her student film. As the facts unravel, she begins to realize that this cold case murder may not be so cold after all.
Find screening info here.
The Wolf Hour
“The Wolf Hour”
It’s July 1977, and New York City is awash with escalating violence. A citywide blackout is triggering fires, looting, and countless arrests, and the Son of Sam murders are riddling the city with panic. June (Naomi Watts), once a celebrated counterculture figure, attempts to retreat from the chaos by shutting herself inside the yellowed walls of her grandmother’s South Bronx apartment. But her doorbell is ringing incessantly, the heat is unbearable, and creeping paranoia and fear are taking hold. Visitors, some invited, some unsolicited, arrive one by one, and June must determine whom she can trust, and whether she can find a path back to her former self.
Playmobil: The Movie
When her younger brother suddenly disappears into the magical, animated universe of Playmobil, Marla (Anya Taylor-Joy) embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to bring him home. Setting off on an incredible journey through new and exciting themed worlds, Marla teams up with various strange and heroic companions, including a crazed food truck driver; a suave and fearless secret agent; a loyal and endearing robot; and a hilarious fairy-godmother.
Find screening info here.
Broken Dreams (Documentary) (Opens in LA; Opens in NY December 20)
“Broken Dreams” tells the compelling story of two Jewish teenage sisters struggling to survive the Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Poland. They are both talented: Ariana Elizabeth Bellak (born Ariana Spiegel), a child prodigy, performs on stage in Warsaw shortly before the war. She sings, plays piano, and recites poems. She also appears in several feature films by famous Polish directors and is commonly referred to as the “Polish Shirley Temple.” She is nine years old when the war starts. Renia is more introverted, romantic, and sensitive. She is a gifted poet who keeps a diary spanning the years 1939-1942. Ariana, who currently lives in New York, narrates her story on screen. Her narration intertwines with text from Renia’s diary recited by Aleksandra Bernatek, an actress from their home town of Przemysl.
Hold On
“Hold On” tells the story of Sidney Rhodes (Micayla De Ette), an overlooked singing prodigy who fights to keep her career dreams alive and save her brother from a life of addiction on Los Angeles’ Skid Row, all the while embarking on an unexpected creative journey with the son of a famed music manager.
Dark Light (Also Available on VOD)
A woman returns to her family home and discovers it to be inhabited by monsters.
FILMS MADE BY WOMEN OPENING
A Million Little Pieces – Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson; Written by Sam Taylor-Johnson and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Also Available on VOD)
“A Million Little Pieces”
An alcoholic and a drug addict, 23-year-old James (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) has two options: treatment or death. After waking up on a plane with a smashed up face and no memory of the past few weeks, he heads to rehab where he discovers much more than detox and therapy. As James endures the white-knuckle journey of mending his broken body, he heals his broken soul by connecting with other kindred spirits who also yearn and fight for a better life.
The Whistleblower – Written and Directed by Xiaolu Xue
Following a fatal accident, a Chinese expatriate working for a mining company in Australia discovers that new technology developed by the company may be a health risk, and investigates a web of conspiracies in his search for the truth.
Most Likely to Succeed (Documentary) – Directed by Pamela Littky (Also Available on VOD)
In the spring of 2007, four American teenagers graduate from high school. From diverse socio-economic backgrounds, geographic regions, and families, these individuals have little in common except for one thing: they have each been voted Most Likely to Succeed. Then what? “Most Likely to Succeed” follows and documents these young adults over the course of 10 years as they leave home and encounter the real world. Beginning at their graduations in 2007 and concluding in 2017, we watch as the subjects’ dreams and goals turn into triumphs and setbacks, and their expectations become realities.
Ordinary Love – Directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn (Opens in the UK)
“Ordinary Love”
Joan and Tom (Lesley Manville and Liam Neeson) have been married for many years. An everyday couple with a remarkable love, there is an ease to their relationship which only comes from spending a lifetime together. When Joan is diagnosed with breast cancer, the course of her treatment shines a light on their enduring devotion, as they must find the humor and grace to survive a year of adversity.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Lisa Barros D’Sa.
Find screening info here.
The Last Right – Written and Directed by Aoife Crehan (Opens in the UK)
A comedy-drama road movie telling the story of a man bringing the body of someone he barely knows for burial with his family. His good intentions are motivated by trying to patch up his relationship with his own brother. However, en route from West Cork to Rathlin Island, both romance and family secrets emerge to complicate the trip.
Little Q – Written by Susan Chan
A yellow lab with a curious birthmark named Little Q is training to become a guide dog for the blind. When his training is complete, he is sent to help a famous, recently blinded chef, Lee Bo Ting (Simon Yam). Irritable and bitter, Bo Ting is at first reluctant to rely on Little Q, trying to drive him away several times. But through his loyalty and protection, Little Q eventually teaches Bo Ting how to trust again and opens him up to a new life of wonderful possibilities.
Human Nature (Documentary) – Written by Regina Sobel and Adam Bolt (Opens in the UK)
A breakthrough called CRISPR has given us unprecedented control over the basic building blocks of life. It opens the door to curing diseases, reshaping the biosphere, and designing our own children. “Human Nature” is a provocative exploration of CRISPR’s far-reaching implications, through the eyes of the scientists who discovered it, the families it’s affecting, and the bioengineers who are testing its limits.
Find screening info here.
So Long, My Son – Written by Mei Ah and Xiaoshuai Wang (Opens in the UK) (Also Available on VOD)
“So Long, My Son” traces the lives of two families over three decades of social, political, and human upheaval in China. Following the loss of a child in a tragic accident, their paths separate. Destinies ebb and flow, and fortunes are transformed under the impact of a country’s changing face. Yet even as their lives diverge, a common search for truth and reconciliation around the tragedy remains. But sometimes it can take a lifetime to say farewell.
Find screening info here.
Undocument – Written and Directed by Kyla Simone Bruce and Amin Bakhshian (Opens in the UK December 9)
An episodic feature, following four stories of longing and love, immigration and identity. The vision of an Iranian and a European director, dealing with the complex theme of illegal immigration or “undocumented migrants.” Each story is set at a different stage of the migrants’ journey, in three different countries: Iran, Greece, and England.
TV PREMIERES
Truth Be Told – Created by Nichelle Tramble Spellman (Premieres December 6 on Apple TV+)
“Truth Be Told”
Descend into the world of true-crime podcasts. New evidence compels podcaster Poppy Parnell (Octavia Spencer) to reopen the murder case that made her a media sensation. Aaron Paul stars as the man she may have wrongfully put behind bars.
Bill Burr Presents Jessica Kirson: Talking to Myself (Comedy Special) (Premieres December 6 on Comedy Central)
Jessica Kirson gets candid about one-night stands, having a mother who’s a therapist, and the enduring misery of singing “Happy Birthday.”
Reprisal (Premieres December 6 on Hulu)
“Reprisal”
From the producers of “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Fargo” comes a story that follows a relentless femme fatale (Abigail Spencer) who, after being left for dead, sets out to take revenge against her brother and his bombastic gang of gear-heads.
Three Days of Christmas (Premieres December 6 on Netflix)
Four sisters deal with family drama and secrets throughout three different time periods, all occurring on Christmas Day.
Triad Princess (Premieres December 6 on Netflix)
Growing up in the shadow of her Triad father, Angie (Eugenie Liu) craves an independent life of her own. Defying her father’s wishes, she takes on a gig as an undercover bodyguard for a famous actress at an agency, where she must navigate the unfamiliar world of glitz, glamour, and even love.
Virgin River – Created by Sue Tenney (Premieres December 6 on Netflix)
Searching for a fresh start, a nurse practitioner (Alexandra Breckenridge) moves from LA to a remote northern California town and is surprised by what — and who — she finds.
The L Word: Generation Q – Created by Marja-Lewis Ryan (Premieres December 8 on Showtime)
“The L Word: Generation Q”: Showtime
The groundbreaking drama series “The L Word” revolutionized a generation, and now the highly anticipated sequel “The L Word: Generation Q” debuts. Returning cast members Jennifer Beals, Kate Moennig, and Leisha Hailey will resume their original roles alongside a new group of diverse, self-possessed LGBTQIA+ characters experiencing love, heartbreak, sex, setbacks, and success in LA.
Work in Progress – Created by Abby McEnany and Tim Mason (Premieres December 8 on Showtime)
“Work in Progress”: Showtime
Abby is a 45-year-old self-identified fat, queer dyke whose misfortune and despair unexpectedly lead her to a vibrantly transformative relationship. Chicago improv mainstay Abby McEnany co-created and stars in this uniquely human comedy series.
Dear Santa, I Need a Date (TV Movie) – Directed by Terri J. Vaughn; Written by Kourtney Richard (Premieres December 8 on TV One)
“Dear Santa, I Need a Date” tells the comedic story of two successful and ambitious siblings, Janelle (Reagan Gomez-Preston) and Jason Vaughn (Ray J). Their parents (Jay DeVon Johnson and Anne-Marie Johnson), are proud of their children’s flourishing careers but are displeased with their dating lives. Every holiday season, the Vaughns anxiously prepare for their children to bring home a significant other only to be disappointed. This year, The Vaughns apply pressure by expressing their concerns to Jason and Janelle, which sparks a bet between the siblings on who can find a date by Christmas.
A Family Reunion Christmas (TV Special) – Created by Meg DeLoatch (Premieres December 9 on Netflix)
M’Dear (Loretta Devine) and her sisters struggle to keep their singing act together before a church Christmas pageant while Grandpa teaches the kids a valuable lesson.
Michelle Wolf: Joke Show (Comedy Special) (Premieres December 10 on Netflix)
Comedian Michelle Wolf wants to fight for women’s equality — but not in like that annoying way. In her Netflix comedy special, “Michelle Wolf: Joke Show,” the comedian dissects the differences between men and women, explores gender equality, explains why society should be a little “less” woke, and more, all while constantly defying expectations.
Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements (Documentary) – Directed by Irene Taylor Brodsky (Premieres December 11 on HBO)
“Moonlight Sonata: Deafness in Three Movements”: Sundance Institute
A coming-of-age story about a boy growing up, his grandfather growing old, and Ludwig van Beethoven, who crafted his “moonlight sonata” as he was going deaf. Director Irene Taylor Brodsky once again turns the camera on her deaf parents and, now, her 11-year-old deaf son, Jonas, who has cochlear implants and is discovering a profound world of hearing — and music.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Irene Taylor Brodsky.
VOD/STREAMING RELEASES
“Before You Know It”
Conscience Point (Documentary) – Directed by Treva Wurmfeld; Written by Treva Wurmfeld and Brian Johnson (PBS.org and PBS App, Streaming Through December 17)
Hala – Written and Directed by Minhal Baig (Apple TV+, December 6)
Before You Know It – Directed by Hannah Pearl Utt; Written by Jen Tullock and Hannah Pearl Utt (VOD, December 10)
Hustlers – Written and Directed by Lorene Scafaria (VOD, December 10)
Judy (VOD, December 10)
Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (Documentary) (VOD, December 10)
Love on the Slopes – Written by Kirsten Hansen (VOD, December 10)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BLOG
“In a Whisper”
Women Make Up 46 Percent of Sundance 2020’s Competition Directors
AFI Awards: “Little Women,” “The Farewell,” “When They See Us,” & More
New York Film Critics Circle Winners: “Atlantics,” “Honeyland,” & More
Phoebe Waller-Bridge Tops Radio Times TV 100 List
Feminist Collective Urges European Film Academy Not to Honor Polanski’s New Film in Open Letter
Gotham Award Winners: Awkwafina, “American Factory,” & More
Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir” Tops Sight & Sound’s 2019 Best of List
Heidi Hassan & Patricia Pérez Fernández’s “In a Whisper” Wins Top Prize at IDFA 2019
“For Sama” Dominates British Independent Film Awards
December 2019 Film Preview
Note: All descriptions are from press materials, unless otherwise noted.
Follow Women and Hollywood on Twitter @WomenaHollywood and Melissa Silverstein @melsil.
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