Weekly Update for February 17: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You

Films About Women Opening This Week

XX (Anthology) — Directed by Roxanne Benjamin, Sofia Carrillo, Karyn Kusama, Annie Clark (St. Vincent), and Jovanka Vuckovic; Co-Written by Roxanne Benjamin and Jovanka Vuckovic (Also Available on VOD)

With all four of its segments directed by women, “XX” — as in, two X chromosomes — looks to distinguish itself from its predecessors. Karyn Kusama (“The Invitation”) helms “Her Only Living Son,” first-time director Annie Clark (better known as St. Vincent) is responsible for “The Birthday Party,” Roxanne Benjamin (“Southbound”) directs “Don’t Fall,” and Jovanka Vuckovic (“The Captured Bird”) opens “The Box.” Natalie Brown, Melanie Lynskey, Breeda Wool, and Christina Kirk are part of the ensemble cast, whose stories animator Sofia Carrillo (“La Casa Triste”) weaves together. (Press materials)

Find screening info here.

Lovesong — Co-Written and Directed by So Yong Kim

Neglected by her husband, Sarah (Riley Keough) embarks on an impromptu road trip with her young daughter and her best friend, Mindy (Jena Malone). Along the way, the dynamic between the two friends intensifies before circumstances force them apart. Years later, Sarah attempts to rebuild their intimate connection in the days before Mindy’s wedding. (Press materials)

Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with So Yong Kim.

Find screening info here.

Everybody Loves Somebody — Written and Directed by Catalina Aguilar Mastretta

Pressured by a family wedding in Mexico, Clara (Karla Souza) asks a co-worker (Ben O’Toole) to pose as her boyfriend for the weekend festivities — only to be caught by surprise when her ex-boyfriend (José María Yazpik) suddenly shows up after disappearing from her life completely. Torn, Clara must decide between going back to the past or opening her heart to new and unexpected possibilities. (Press materials)

American Fable — Written and Directed by Anne Hamilton (Also Available on VOD)

A fairytale thriller set in the 1980s Midwest farm crisis about a courageous girl living in a dark and sometimes magical world. When 11-year-old Gitty (Peyton Kennedy) discovers that her beloved father (Kip Pardue) is hiding a wealthy man (Richard Schiff) in her family’s silo in order to save their struggling farm, she befriends the captive in secret and is forced to choose between saving the man’s life and protecting her family from the consequences of their actions. (Press materials)

Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Anne Hamilton.

Fanny’s Journey — Directed by Lola Doillon; Written by Lola Doillon and Anne Peyregne

1943. Germany is occupying France. Fanny (Léonie Souchaud), age 13, and her little sisters were sent by their parents to the OSE, a foster home for Jewish children. When the Nazis arrive on Italian territory, members of the OSE desperately organize the departure of the children to Switzerland. Fanny and her sisters are among those traveling to the border. These 11 children suddenly left on their own will do the impossible to reach the Swiss border in order to survive. Based on a true story, “Fanny’s Journey” is an incredible tale of bravery, strength, and survival, a story of a daring young girl who will stop at nothing and fear no one. (Press materials)

My Name is Emily

This is a story of madness, sadness, and love. On her 16th birthday, Emily (Evanna Lynch) escapes from her foster home. With the help of Arden (George Webster), the boy who loves her, she sets out to find her father (Michael Smiley), a visionary writer, locked up in a far-off mental institution. (Press materials)

Find screening info here.

Films About Women Currently Playing

Prevenge — Written and Directed by Alice Lowe (UK)
Havenhurst
Non-Transferable (Also Available on VOD)
Running Wild — Co-Written by Christina Moore (Also Available on VOD)
I Am Jane Doe (Documentary) — Written and Directed by Mary Mazzio
Sex Doll — Written and Directed by Sylvie Verheyde (Also Available on VOD)
Speed Sisters (Documentary) — Directed by Amber Fares (Opens in NY) (Also Available on VOD)
Rings
The Lure — Directed by Agnieszka Smoczynska
Sophie and the Rising Sun — Written and Directed by Maggie Greenwald (Also Available on VOD)
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
20th Century Women
Underworld: Blood Wars — Directed by Anna Foerster
Hidden Figures — Co-Written by Allison Schroeder
Toni Erdmann — Written and Directed by Maren Ade
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Julieta
Jackie
Things to Come — Written and Directed by Mia Hansen-Løve
Moana — Co-Written by Pamela Ribon
Arrival
The Love Witch — Written and Directed by Anna Biller
Elle
The Eagle Huntress
The Handmaiden

Films Directed by Women Opening This Week

None.

Films Directed by Women Currently Playing

Kedi (Documentary) — Written and Directed by Ceyda Torun
1 Night — Written and Directed by Minhal Baig (Also Available on VOD)
A United Kingdom — Directed by Amma Asante
The Bye Bye Man — Directed by Stacy Title

Films Written by Women Opening This Week

From Nowhere — Co-Written by Kate Ballen (Opens in NY and LA)

Three undocumented teenagers — Moussa (J. Mallory McCree), Sophie (Octavia Chavez-Richmond), and Alyssa (Raquel Castro) — are about to graduate high school in the Bronx, while working with a teacher and a lawyer to try to get their papers to stay in the USA. Forced to grow up prematurely and navigate problems most adults don’t even have to face, they’re really just American teenagers who want to be with their friends, fall in love, and push back against authority. (Press materials)

Find screening info here.

Films Written by Women Currently Playing

A Dog’s Purpose — Written by Cathryn Michon
The Red Turtle — Co-written by Pascale Ferran
The Resurrection of Gavin Stone — Written by Andrea Gyertson Nasfell
The Sunshine Makers (Documentary) — Co-Written by Connie Littlefield
Alone in Berlin — Co-Written by Bettine von Borries (Also Available on VOD)
Sleepless — Co-Written by Andrea Berloff
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them — Written by J.K. Rowling
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children — Written by Jane Goldman

TV Premieres This Week

Cassandra French’s Finishing School — Co-Executive Produced by Jaime Burke and Amy Kim (Premieres February 17 on DirecTV/AT&T)

Jessica Renee Russell (“Donny”) stars as Cassie, a 23-year-old overachieving publicist who can’t find a guy ready for a mature relationship. After a disastrous one night stand, Cassie takes matters into her own hands when she knocks the unsuspecting guy, Owen, (Calum Worthy, “Austin & Ally”) unconscious and decides that the only way to turn things around is to set up a finishing school in her basement to try and teach him how to become a better man. Brooke Markham (“Friend Request”), Savannah Jayde (“Big Time Rush”), Anjali Bhimani (“Modern Family”), Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (“Misfits”), Lisa Schwartz (“Lisbug”), and Mo Collins (“MADtv”) also star. (Deadline)

Britney Ever After (TV Movie) — Directed by Leslie Libman; Written by Anne-Marie Hess (PremieresF ebruary 18 on Lifetime)

Britney Jean Spears (Natasha Bassett) was just a young girl from Louisiana trying to make a name for herself in the music scene when her talent became undeniable to all those around her. While handlers soon began planning her every move, Britney found solace with fellow pop singer Justin Timberlake (Nathan Keyes). Tragically, as Britney’s star continued to shine, her private life crumbled after the divorce of her parents and her tabloid breakup with Justin. Her personal behavior soon eclipsed her pop icon success as a quickie marriage to a childhood friend and later, an ill-fated marriage to dancer Kevin Federline (Clayton Chitty), became the talk of the world. With her life spiraling out of control, Britney hit rock bottom, lost custody of her sons, and was placed under her father’s conservatorship. But despite her past troubles, Britney has battled back to rebuild her career to its former glory, proving to everyone that she’s a timeless force in entertainment. (Press materials)

Big Little Lies (Premieres February 19 on HBO)

In the tranquil seaside town of Monterey, California, nothing is quite as it seems. Doting moms, successful husbands, adorable children, beautiful homes: What lies will be told to keep their perfect worlds from unraveling? Told through the eyes of three mothers — Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), Celeste (Nicole Kidman), and Jane (Shailene Woodley) — “Big Little Lies” paints a picture of a town fueled by rumors and divided into the haves and have-nots, exposing the conflicts, secrets, and betrayals that compromise relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and friends and neighbors. (Press materials)

The Good Fight — Co-Created by Michelle King (Premieres February 19 on CBS All Access)

“The Good Fight” picks up one year after the events of the final broadcast episode of “The Good Wife.” In the new series, an enormous financial scam has destroyed the reputation of a young lawyer, Maia Rindell (Rose Leslie, “Game of Thrones”), while simultaneously wiping out her mentor and godmother Diane Lockhart’s (Christine Baranski) savings. Forced out of Lockhart & Lee, they join Lucca Quinn (Cush Jumbo) at one of Chicago’s preeminent law firms. (Press materials)

Unlocking the Cage (Documentary) — Co-Directed by Chris Hegedus; Co-Produced by Chris Hegedus and Rosadel Varela (Premieres February 20 on HBO)

“Unlocking the Cage” follows animal rights lawyer Steven Wise in his unprecedented challenge to break down the legal wall that separates animals from humans. After thirty years of struggling with ineffective animal welfare laws, Steve and his legal team, the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP), are making history by filing the first lawsuits that seek to transform an animal from a thing with no rights to a person with legal protections. (Press materials)

Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Chris Hegedus.

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise (Documentary) — Co-Directed by Rita Coburn Whack (Premieres February 21 on PBS)

Distinctly referred to as “a redwood tree, with deep roots in American culture,” Dr. Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928 — May 28, 2014) led a prolific life. As a singer, dancer, activist, poet, and writer, she inspired generations with lyrical modern African-American thought that pushed boundaries. Best known for her autobiography “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” she gave people the freedom to think about their history in a way they never had before. With unprecedented access, filmmakers Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack trace Dr. Angelou’s incredible journey, shedding light on the untold aspects of her life through never-before-seen footage, rare archival photographs, and videos and her own words. (Press materials)

Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Rita Coburn Whack.

VOD/DVD Releasing This Week

The Blackcoat’s Daughter (DirecTV, Available Now)
National Bird (VOD, Available Now)
Speed Sisters — Directed by Amber Fares (VOD, Available Now) (DVD, February 21)
Bad Santa 2 — Co-Written by Shauna Cross (DVD, February 21)
Blood on the Mountain — Co-Directed by Mari-Lynn C. Evans (DVD/VOD, February 21)
Nocturnal Animals (DVD/VOD, February 21)
Sophie and the Rising Sun — Written and Directed by Maggie Greenwald (DVD/VOD, February 21)

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