Weekly Update for February 21: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You

FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING

Emma. – Directed by Autumn de Wilde; Written by Eleanor Catton (Opens in Limited Release; Opens in Wide Release March 6)

Jane Austen’s beloved comedy about finding your equal and earning your happy ending is reimagined in this delicious new film adaptation of “Emma.” Handsome, clever, and rich Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy) is a restless queen bee without rivals in her sleepy little town. In this glittering satire of social class and the pain of growing up, Emma must adventure through misguided matches and romantic missteps to find the love that has been there all along.

Find screening info here.

The Last Thing He Wanted – Directed by Dee Rees; Written by Dee Rees and Marco Villalobos (Available on Netflix)

“The Last Thing He Wanted”: Sundance Institute

At the tipping point of the Iran Contra affair’s arms for drugs plot, hardscrabble news journalist Elena McMahon (Anne Hathaway) finds herself on dangerous ground when she abandons coverage of the 1984 presidential campaign to fulfill her bed-ridden father’s (Willem Dafoe) last wish. Cast into an international melee of politics and covert ops, Elena insists on revealing the players and causes of a region in turmoil.

The Woman Who Loves Giraffes (Documentary) – Written and Directed by Alison Reid (Opens in LA)

“The Woman Who Loves Giraffes”

Dr. Anne Innis Dagg re-traces the steps of her groundbreaking 1956 journey to South Africa to study giraffes in the wild — and discovers a startling contrast between the world of giraffes she once knew and the one it has become. Weaving through the past and present, her harrowing journey gives us an intimate look into the factors that destroyed her career and the forces that brought her back.

Find screening info here.

Premature – Written by Zora Howard and Rashaad Ernesto Green (Also Available on VOD)

On a summer night in Harlem during her last months at home before starting college, 17-year-old poet Ayanna (Zora Howard) meets Isaiah (Joshua Boone), a charming music producer who has just moved to the city. It’s not long before these two artistic souls are drawn together in a passionate summer romance. But as the highs of young love give way to jealousy, suspicion, and all-too-real consequences, Ayanna must confront the complexities of the adult world — whether she is ready or not.

Vitalina Varela – Written by Vitalina Varela and Pedro Costa

Vitalina Varela, a 55-year-old woman from Cape Verde, arrives in Lisbon three days after her husband’s funeral. She’s been waiting for her plane ticket for more than 25 years.

System Crasher – Written and Directed by Nora Fingscheidt (Available on Netflix)

On her wild quest to reunite with her mother, nine-year-old Benni’s (Helena Zengel) untamed energy drives everyone around her to despair.

Goldie (Also Available on VOD)

“Goldie”

Goldie (Slick Woods) is a star — well, not quite yet, but at least in the eyes of her little sisters Sherrie and Supreme (Alanna Renee Tyler-Tompkins and Jazmyn C. Dorsey) she is. The rest of the world is bound to take note soon too. Her big break surely awaits, she’s just got to pick up that golden fur coat she’s had her eye on first. And land a role as a dancer in a hip-hop video. And keep child welfare services from separating her from Sherrie and Supreme, after their mother is locked up. Holding onto those dreams isn’t easy when fate has placed such daunting obstacles in her path.

FILMS MADE BY WOMEN OPENING

10 Things We Should Do Before We Break Up – Written and Directed by Galt Niederhoffer (Also Available on VOD)

“10 Things We Should Do Before We Break Up”

Sparks fly when Abigail (Christina Ricci), a self-sufficient single mom, meets Benjamin (Hamish Linklater), a magnetic perennial bachelor. They bond over their shared cynicism about love, convinced that the most dazzling relationships are destined to end in disaster. On their first date, they collaborate — in jest — on the ultimate un-bucket list: 10 things to do together before they break up.

Just One More Kiss – Written and Directed by Faleena Hopkins

“Just One More Kiss”

“Till death do us part” wasn’t nearly long enough for Max (Patrick Zeller) and Abby (Faleena Hopkins), a happily married couple before an accident took Max away. As Abby struggles with a life without her husband, something strange happens: Max’s ghost returns to help her get over him. But with a second chance to be together, neither wants to say goodbye again.

Balloon – Written by Kit Hopkins, Michael Herbig, and Thilo Röscheisen

In the summer of 1979, the Strelzyk and Wetzel families — who had been working on their audacious plan for more than two years — try to flee East Germany in a self-made hot-air balloon. But after the balloon crash-lands just before the West German border, the Stasi find traces of the attempted escape and immediately launch an investigation. In a nerve-wracking race against the clock, the two families attempt to build a new escape balloon as the Stasi get closer and closer each day.

TV PREMIERES

Gentefied – Created by Linda Yvette Chávez and Marvin Lemus (Premieres February 21 on Netflix)

“Gentefied”: Kevin Estrada/Netflix

Based on the Macro web series “Gente-fied,” this is the story of three Mexican-American cousins and their grandfather (series MVP Joaquín Cosio), and their fight to keep the family taco shop alive in their rapidly-gentrifying Los Angeles neighborhood, Boyle Heights. Meanwhile, each cousin is either struggling to figure out what exactly they want, or how to get it. They each have their own American Dream but are living in the real America — a place that is apathetic at best, hostile at worst, toward immigrants and people of color. “Gentefied” especially succeeds at fleshing out specific family dynamics, particularly those between cousins, and exploring how culture, race, and tradition uniquely inform each character. While up-and-coming chef Chris (Carlos Santos) is the golden child — i.e. the one who has his shit together — he’s teased for being spoiled and acting white by his co-workers and cousins. Erik (J.J. Soria) is a bit of a fuck-up but is respected around the neighborhood for proudly embracing his ethnicity. Then there’s Ana (Karrie Martin), whose family is fine with her queerness but is less onboard for her artistic aspirations, and doubts her ability to earn a living. (Rachel Montpelier)

Puerta 7 (Premieres February 21 on Netflix)

A determined woman works to rid an Argentine soccer club of the violent crime and corruption surrounding its intense fanbase.

I Am Not Okay With This – Created by Christy Hall and Jonathan Entwisle (Premieres February 26 on Netflix)

“I Am Not Okay With This”: Netflix

Sydney (Sophia Lillis) is a teenage girl navigating the trials and tribulations of high school while dealing with the complexities of her family, her budding sexuality, and mysterious superpowers just beginning to awaken deep within her.

It’s Personal with Amy Hoggart (Premieres February 26 on truTV)

Under-qualified and over-confident Brit Amy Hoggart seeks to make Americans feel better by attacking issues that make their lives — and Amy’s — harder.

Followers – Directed by Mika Ninagawa (Premieres February 27 on Netflix)

A famous and successful fashion photographer, Limi Nara (Miki Nakatani) has built a career capturing the evolving people and city of present-day Tokyo. She lives her life confidently and showcases her independence in both her career and relationships. Conversely, a young, aspiring actress Natsume Hyakuta (Elaiza Ikeda) struggles to find her identity and self-confidence which impacts her personal relationships and career.

VOD/STREAMING RELEASES

“Queen & Slim”: Andre D. Wagner/Universal Pictures

Queen & Slim – Directed by Melina Matsoukas; Written by Lena Waithe (VOD, Available Now)
Top End Wedding – Written by Miranda Tapsell and Joshua Tyler (VOD, February 21)
After Parkland (Documentary) – Directed by Emily Taguchi and Jake Lefferman (VOD, February 25)
Color Out of Space – Written by Scarlett Amaris and Richard Stanley (VOD, February 25)
Frozen II – Directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck; Written by Jennifer Lee (VOD, February 25)
Goalie – Directed by Adriana Maggs; Written by Adriana Maggs and Jane Maggs (VOD, February 25)
Rag Doll (VOD, February 25)

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.