FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING
The Photograph – Written and Directed by Stella Meghie
When famed photographer Christina Eames unexpectedly dies, she leaves her estranged daughter Mae Morton (Issa Rae) hurt, angry, and full of questions. When a photograph tucked away in a safe-deposit box is found, Mae finds herself on a journey delving into her mother’s early life and ignites a powerful, unexpected romance with a rising-star journalist, Michael Block (Lakeith Stanfield).
Find screening info here.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire – Written and Directed by Céline Sciamma
“Portrait of a Lady on Fire”
“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” is a masterpiece. Full stop. Just when you think it’s done breaking your heart, writer-director Céline Sciamma digs the knife in deeper. And then deeper still. Set in 1760 France, the period romance sees a painter hired to do an unconventional job — her subject, a reluctant bride to be, can’t know she’s working on her portrait. Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) has refused to sit for other artists. She’s under the impression that Marianne (Noémie Merlant) is a companion to go on walks with. In reality, Marianne is studying Héloïse, and sneakily working on a painting of her that will be sent to a potential suitor in Milan. Between stolen glances and intimate conversations, the pair fall for one another. (Laura Berger)
Find screening info here.
Buffaloed – Directed by Tanya Wexler
“Buffaloed”
This film is hysterical and original — it’s quite refreshing. Zoey Deutch plays Peg, a young woman who is always on the search for a scam. She’s brilliant, broke, and parlays her intellect and street-smarts into a couple of dubious ventures in her hometown of Buffalo, NY. I don’t want to give too much away, but “Buffaloed” is a great, wild ride. Every time I thought that a turn wouldn’t work, it did. The film is an unexpected joy. Deutch’s go-for-broke performance is especially impressive. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does next. She’s got the goods. (Melissa Silverstein)
I Was at Home, But… – Written and Directed by Angela Schanelec
“I Was at Home, But…” tells the story of Astrid (Maren Eggert), a 40-something mother of two, struggling to regain her balance in the wake of her husband’s death. Her adolescent son Phillip (Jakob Lassalle) disappeared for a week and now that he has returned, he faces disciplinary action at school and his toe requires amputation. As new questions confront Astrid from every angle, even simple activities like buying a bicycle or engaging with a work of art are fraught with unexpected challenges.
The Rest of Us – Directed by Aisling Chin-Yee; Written by Alanna Francis (Also Available on VOD)
“The Rest of Us”
After a series of unexpected events, Cami (Heather Graham,) Rachel (Jodi Balfour,) and their daughters are brought together under one roof. In close quarters the women are forced to deal with some complicated emotions and troubles from their past.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Aisling Chin-Yee.
First Lady – Written and Directed by Nina May
Katherine Morales (Nancy Stafford), a woman not married to the president, runs for First Lady, but she winds up getting a better proposal than she ever expected.
Find screening info here.
A Simple Wedding – Directed by Sara Zandieh; Written by Sara Zandieh and Stephanie Wu (Also Available on VOD)
“A Simple Wedding”
Iranian-American Nousha (Tara Grammy) has a habit of sabotaging her relationships, frustrating her parents — she’s their only hope for a real Persian wedding. Then she meets Alex (Christopher O’Shea), a bisexual artist, activist, and DJ living in an old warehouse. Nousha falls fast, but when her parents discover that she and Alex are living together before marriage, chaos unfolds, leading to a wedding that’s anything but simple.
Eve (Also Available on VOD)
“Eve” follows two actresses fighting for the coveted role of Eve in a screen adaptation of “Paradise Lost.” When the talented and beautiful Alex Beyer (Christine Marzano) is awarded the role, her excitement is quickly tempered by a disturbing home invasion. Unsure of who or what is tormenting her, Alex’s sense of reality starts to spiral out of control, threatening her sanity and the lives of those around her.
Ride Your Wave – Written by Reiko Yoshida (In Select Theaters February 19 Only)
“Ride Your Wave”: GKIDS
Hinako (Rina Kawaei) is a surf-loving college student who has just moved to a small seaside town. When a sudden fire breaks out at her apartment building, she is rescued by Minato (Ryôta Katayose), a handsome firefighter, and the two soon fall in love. Just as they become inseparable, Minato loses his life in an accident at sea. Hinako is so distraught that she can no longer even look at the ocean, but one day she sings a song that reminds her of their time together, and Minato appears in the water. From then on, she can summon him in any watery surface as soon as she sings their song, but can the two really remain together forever?
Find screening info here.
FILMS MADE BY WOMEN OPENING
Ordinary Love – Directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn
“Ordinary Love”
“Ordinary Love” is about an ordinary older couple, a couple who functions as a unit. They navigate the world together. They walk their daily walk. They watch TV. You feel their love, comfort, and ease with each other. Then Joan (Lesley Manville) is diagnosed with breast cancer and their lives are thrown into a tumult. This is a film that showcases two masterful actors: Manville as Joan and Liam Neeson as her husband, Tom. It’s a particular pleasure seeing Neeson is a non-action role. This is a beautiful, quiet story of love, a story of a couple with history, and a story of the slog of illness. (MS)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Lisa Barros D’Sa.
The Kindness of Strangers – Written and Directed by Lone Scherfig (Also Available on VOD)
“The Kindness of Strangers”
Clara (Zoe Kazan) arrives in wintry New York with her two sons in the back seat of her car. The journey, which she has disguised as an adventure for her children’s sake, is soon revealed to be an escape from an abusive husband and father. The three have little more than their car, and when this is towed away, they are left penniless on the street. While stealing food at a Russian restaurant called Winter Palace, Clara meets an ex-con, Marc (Tahar Rahim,) who has been given the chance to help the old eatery regain its former glory. The Winter Palace soon becomes a place of unexpected encounters between people who are all undergoing some sort of crisis and whom fate has now brought together.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Lone Scherfig.
Fantasy Island – Written by Jillian Jacobs, Jeff Wadlow, and Christopher Roach
In Blumhouse’s new spin on “Fantasy Island,” the enigmatic Mr. Roarke (Michael Peña) makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort. But when the fantasies turn into nightmares, the guests have to solve the island’s mystery in order to escape with their lives.
Find screening info here.
Olympic Dreams – Written by Alexi Pappas, Nick Kroll, and Jeremy Teicher (Also Available on VOD)
“Olympic Dreams”: Tobias Strikes Again
Penelope (Alexi Pappas) is a first time Olympian and introverted cross-country skier, who, after finishing her event early on in the games, finds herself spending time in Athletes Village with the gregarious and outgoing volunteer dentist, Ezra (Nick Kroll). While both are eager to form connections at the Olympic Games, they are held back by the very thing that has propelled them to this point: what do you do once your lifelong dream has come true, and you’re faced with taking the next step?
Those Who Remained – Written by Klára Muhi and Barnabás Tóth (Opens in Florida)
Having survived the camps, 42-year old Aldo (Károly Hajduk) lives a solitary life as a doctor in Budapest. Sixteen-year old Klára (Abigél Szõke) lives reluctantly with her great-aunt, holding on to hope that her father and mother will return. She meets Aldo, and soon the two of them find something in each other that has long been absent in their lives. But as the Soviet Empire rises to power in Hungary, their pure and loving father-daughter relationship is misunderstood and frowned upon.
Find screening info here.
You Go to My Head – Written by Rosemary Ricchio, Dimitri de Clercq, and Pierre Bourdy
In a desolate stretch of the Sahara, a mysterious car accident leaves a young woman (Delfine Bafort) lost and alone. Jake (Svetozar Cvetkovic), a reclusive architect, finds her unconscious. He drives her to the nearest doctor, to discover that she’s suffering from post-traumatic amnesia. Intoxicated by the woman’s beauty, Jake claims to be her husband. He names her Kitty and takes her to his remote desert home to recuperate. Little by little, Kitty begins to fall in love with him. But when shreds of her past begin to surface, Jake takes steps to ensure he will not lose the love of his life.
TV PREMIERES
High Fidelity – Created by Sarah Kucserka and Veronica West (Premieres February 14 on Hulu)
“High Fidelity”
A female record store owner (Zoë Kravitz) revisits past relationships through music and pop culture while trying to get over her one true love. An adaptation of Nick Hornby’s novel of the same name.
Duncanville – Created by Amy Poehler, Julie Thacker, and Mike Scully (Premieres February 16 on Fox)
Like most 15-year-olds, Duncan (Amy Poehler) can see adulthood on the horizon: money, freedom, cars, girls. But the reality is more like: always being broke, driving with your mom sitting shotgun, and babysitting your little sister. He’s not exceptional, but he has a wild imagination in which he’s never anything less than amazing.
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (Premieres February 16 on NBC)
“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist”
If there’s a song in your heart, it will get in her head. Jane Levy stars in this high-concept drama as Zoey Clarke, a whip-smart computer coder forging her way in San Francisco. After an unusual event, Zoey, who always preferred podcasts over pop songs, suddenly starts to hear the innermost wants, thoughts, and desires of the people around her — her family, co-workers, and complete strangers — through popular songs. At first, she questions her own sanity, but after getting some guidance from her musically adept neighbor, and making a breakthrough with her ailing father, Zoey soon realizes this unwanted curse may just be an incredibly wonderful gift as she connects with the world like never before.
The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia (Premieres February 17 on Netflix)
Fifteen-year old scientist Ashley Garcia (Paulina Chávez) explores the great unknown of modern teendom after moving across the country to pursue a career in robotics.
We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest (Documentary) – Directed by Amy Schatz (Premieres February 18 on HBO)
Every year, hundreds of children in pre-K through 12th grade participate in the Oakland MLK Oratorical Festival, a stirring public speaking competition where they perform poetry and speeches, both published and original, inspired by the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest” is an uplifting documentary about young people finding their voices and the community that celebrates and supports their passion.
Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution (Documentary Special) – Directed by Jyllian Gunther (Premieres February 19 on History Channel)
Many people don’t know that African Americans played an integral role in the fight for our country’s independence. “Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution” will cover both sides of the fight, highlighting black heroes of the American Revolution who stood up against British rule to help establish the United States of America, and, conversely, black loyalists who fought for the Crown — and the promise of freedom.
VOD/STREAMING RELEASES
“Charlie’s Angels”
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood – Directed by Marielle Heller (VOD, February 18)
Charlie’s Angels – Written and Directed by Elizabeth Banks (VOD, February 18)
Queen & Slim – Directed by Melina Matsoukas; Written by Lena Waithe (VOD, February 18)
ATHENA FILM FESTIVAL TICKETS/PASSES ON SALE NOW
Tickets and festival passes for the 2020 Athena Film Festival (AFF) are now available for purchase. The fest runs February 27-March 1 at Barnard College in NYC.
Click here to buy AFF tickets/passes or to find out more. Purchase options include individual tickets, all-access passes, student passes, and day passes.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BLOG
Ikoko
WeForShe Announces 2020 WriteHer List
Apply Now: 2020 Karen Schmeer Film Editing Fellowship
Unjoo Moon & Beanie Feldstein Among Athena Awardees, Fest Announces Athena List Winners & More
Guest Post: Collaborating Taught Me Different Ways of Making Films and Seeing the World
Spirit Award Winners Include “The Farewell” and “Booksmart”
Oscars 2020: Female Composers Make History, Natalie Portman Honors Women Directors
Quote of the Day: Josephine Decker on Pumping at Sundance, Normalizing Everyday Parts of Motherhood
Guest Post: Why Do We Reduce “Little Women’s” March Sisters to Types?
“Little Women” Has Grossed Over $100 Million at Domestic Box Office
Writer to Watch: Playwright and “Rocks” Scribe Theresa Ikoko
Note: All descriptions are from press materials, unless otherwise noted.
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