Films About Women Opening This Week
The Witch
In this exquisitely made and terrifying new horror film, the age-old concepts of witchcraft, black magic and possession are innovatively brought together to tell the intimate and riveting story of one family’s frightful unraveling in the New England wilderness circa 1630. Upon threat of banishment by the church, an English farmer (Ralph Ineson) leaves his colonial plantation, relocating his wife and five children to a remote plot of land on the edge of an ominous forest — within which lurks an unknown evil. Strange and unsettling things begin to happen almost immediately — animals turn malevolent, crops fail and one child disappears as another becomes seemingly possessed by an evil spirit. With suspicion and paranoia mounting, family members accuse teenage daughter Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) of witchcraft, charges she adamantly denies. As circumstances grow more treacherous, each family member’s faith, loyalty and love become tested in shocking and unforgettable ways. (Press materials)
The Great Gilly Hopkins
Wisecracking, gum-chewing 12-year-old Gilly (Sophie Nélisse) is well known in the foster system. Totally unmanageable, she has stayed with more families than she can remember and has outwitted them all. After all, how can she settle down when her real mother, the beautiful and glamorous Courtney (Julia Stiles), might be out there waiting for her? When Gilly is sent to live with the Trotters, the weirdest family yet, she isn’t planning to stick around. But cheerful, affectionate Maime Trotter (Kathy Bates) isn’t giving up on Gilly just yet — she is sure there’s a hurt little girl in there somewhere. Gilly knows she has to escape, and if she can’t run, then she’ll lie her way out. But her grand plan doesn’t go as intended, and she starts to think maybe she was wrong about Trotter. Maybe wrong about everything. Adapted from a multi-award-winning novel published in more than 20 territories by Katherine Paterson, “The Great Gilly Hopkins” is the hilarious and big-hearted story about a headstrong girl who wants to find a place to call home. (Press materials)
Neerja — Co-Written by Sanyukta Shaikh Chawla
This is the story of Neerja Bhanot (Sonam Kapoor), a 22-year-old part-time model, who was the chief flight attendant on a flight that was hijacked by Palestinian extremists. Neerja had escaped an abusive marriage at a very young age and, as a life change, decided to become an air hostess. Throughout the horrifying 17-hour situation, Neerja didn’t succumb to her fears and instead she used her courage, wits and compassion to make sure that the passengers were protected, going as far as to hide the passports of the American passengers. Through her swift thinking and brave actions, she managed to save the lives of 359 passengers and crew on board out of 379, all at the cost of her own life. (Rotten Tomatoes)
Films About Women Currently Playing
How To Be Single — Co-Written by Dana Fox and Abby Kohn
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
All Roads Lead to Rome — Written and Directed by Ella Lemhagen (Also available on VOD)
Jane Got A Gun
The 5th Wave — Co-Written by Susannah Grant
The Boy
Caged No More — Directed by Lisa Arnold; Written by Lisa Arnold and Molly Venzke
The Lady in the Van
The Forest — Co-Written by Sarah Cornwell
Joy — Story by Annie Mumolo
45 Years
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Sisters — Written by Paula Pell
Janis: Little Girl Blue (Documentary) — Directed by Amy Berg
The Danish Girl — Written by Lucinda Coxon
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2
Carol — Written by Phyllis Nagy
Mustang — Directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven; Written by Deniz Gamze Ergüven and Alice Winocour
Brooklyn
Grandma
Truth
Films Directed by Women Opening This Week
None
Films Directed by Women Currently Playing
Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong — Written and Directed by Emily Ting
Providence — Written and Directed by Sharon Wilharm
Southbound — Co-Directed by Roxanne Benjamin; Co-Written by Roxanne Benjamin and Susan Burke (Also available on VOD)
Kung Fu Panda 3 — Co-Directed by Jennifer Yuh
Yosemite — Written and Directed by Gabrielle Demeestere
Heart of a Dog (Documentary) — Written and Directed by Laurie Anderson
Films Written by Women Opening This Week
Race — Co-Written by Anna Waterhouse
Based on the incredible true story of Jesse Owens (Stephen Hopkins), the legendary athletic superstar whose quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him on to the world stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler’s vision of Aryan supremacy. “Race” is an enthralling film about courage, determination, tolerance and friendship, and an inspiring drama about one man’s fight to become an Olympic legend. (Press materials)
Films Written by Women Currently Playing
Tumbledown — Written by Desi Van Til
Rabin, the Last Day — Co-Written by Marie-Jose Sanselme
In the Shadow of Women — Co-Written by Caroline Deruas and Arlette Langman
Concussion — Co-Written by Jeanne Marie Laskas
The Good Dinosaur — Written by Meg LeFauve
Room — Written by Emma Donoghue
Labyrinth of Lies/Im Labyrinth des Schweigens — Co-Written by Elisabeth Bartel
TV Premieres This Week
American Masters — Carole King: Natural Woman (Premieres February 19 on PBS, Available on DVD February 23)
Weaving previously unseen and rare performances and home movies with a new, exclusive interview with King, “American Masters — Carole King: Natural Woman” delves into her life and career. Director George Scott journeys through King’s Brooklyn childhood, her early success co-writing some of the best-loved pop songs of the ’60s with then-husband Goffin for Aldon Music, and, following their divorce, her move to Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles with two young children. There, she achieved solo success and became a central figure in the ’70s singer-songwriter movement, along with her contemporaries James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. King speaks candidly about her abusive marriage to Rick Evers, life on a ranch in Idaho, eco-activism and her initial hesitance about “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.” Douglas McGrath, writer of the Broadway musical’s book and author/music critic Anthony DeCurtis provide additional insights. (Press materials)
VOD/DVD Releasing This Week
Day Out of Days- Directed by Zoe R. Cassavetes; Written by Zoe R. Cassavetes and Alexia Landeau (VOD, February 23)
She’s the Best Thing In It (Documentary) — (VOD, February 23)
