Films About Women Opening This Week
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (select IMAX theaters and streaming on Netflix)
In this sequel to “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” four Martial World heroes (Michelle Yeoh, Donnie Yen, Natasha Liu Bordizzo and Harry Shum Jr.) must keep the legendary Green Destiny sword from the villainous Hades Dai (Jason Scott Lee). (Press materials)
Jack of the Red Hearts — Directed by Janet Grillo; Written by Jennifer Deaton
A streetwise teen (AnnaSophia Robb) who’s a casualty of the flawed foster care system cons her way into a job by posing as an experienced caregiver for a family with an autistic child. At first in over her head, she ends up connecting with her new life in a way she never expected. Just as she’s found redemption, her deceitful past catches up with her, and she’s forced to come to terms with who she really is. (Press materials)
Read Janet Grillo’s guest post for Women and Hollywood.
A Country Called Home — Co-Written and Directed by Anna Axster
“A Country Called Home” tells the story of Ellie (Imogen Poots), a young woman living in Los Angeles who learns that her estranged alcoholic father has died. Having had no contact with him since childhood, she’s reluctant to make the effort to attend his funeral, but something draws her to the dusty corner of Texas where he spent the last years of his life. At first dismayed by the small-town vibe, she’s soon intrigued by the people she meets, among them a distraught stepmother, her apprehensive son, a gutsy young musician and a set of doting grandparents she’s never met. As she finds glimpses of the father she once knew, she also discovers a new attitude towards friendship, loyalty and family. (Press materials)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Anna Axster.
The Truth and the Teller — Co-Written by Patty Moynahan and Nevie Owens
In 1974, 24 year-old Francis Wetherbee (Leilani Galvan), a bank teller who is the subject of small-town envy and gossip, disappears from her hometown of Smithville, Texas two weeks after her fiance’s bank is robbed. Her car is dredged from the bottom of a local river but it yields no clues. After a vigorous but futile search for the missing woman, the authorities give up, and Francis recedes into legend — until the case is revisited nearly 40 years later when key figures in her life come forward with theories and clues surrounding her disappearance. (Press materials)
Films About Women Currently Playing
The Witch
The Great Gilly Hopkins
Neerja — Co-Written by Sanyukta Shaikh Chawla
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
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
Films Directed by Women Opening This Week
King Georges (Documentary) — Directed by Erika Frankel (Also Available on VOD)
Fiery French chef Georges Perrier is on a crusade to keep his 40-year-old, internationally renowned Philadelphia restaurant Le Bec-Fin relevant in a culinary world of new stars and shifting tastes. More than just a documentary about food, “King Georges” is a touching story about passion, aging and art. Co-starring Nicholas Elmi (winner of “Top Chef” in 2014) and featuring interviews with chefs Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller and Eric Ripert and former Mayor of Philadelphia Ed Rendell. (Press materials)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Erika Frankel.
Songs My Brothers Taught Me — Directed by Chloé Zhao (Opens March 2 in New York)
Set on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, “Songs My Brothers Taught Me” explores the bond between a brother (John Reddy) and his younger sister (Jashaun St. John), who find themselves on separate paths to rediscovering the meaning of home. (Press materials)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Chloé Zhao.
Marguerite and Julien — Co-Written and Directed by Valerie Donzelli
Julien (Jérémie Elkaïm) and Marguerite (Anaïs Demoustier) have loved each other tenderly since childhood, but as they grow up, their affection veers toward voracious passion. Scandalized by their affair, society hounds [the sister and brother] until they make a desperate escape. (Press materials)
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
None
Films Written by Women Currently Playing
Race — Co-Written by Anna Waterhouse
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
Mavis! (Documentary) — Directed by Jessica Edwards (Premieres February 29 on HBO)
“Mavis!” is the first feature documentary on gospel/soul music legend and civil rights icon Mavis Staples and her family group, The Staple Singers. From the freedom songs of the ’60s and hits like “I’ll Take You There” in the ’70s, to funked-up collaborations with Prince and her recent albums with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, Mavis has stayed true to her roots, kept her family close and inspired millions along the way. Featuring powerful live performances, rare archival footage, and conversations with friends and contemporaries including Bob Dylan, Prince, Bonnie Raitt, Levon Helm, Jeff Tweedy, Chuck D and more, “Mavis!”reveals the struggles, successes and intimate stories of her journey. At 75, she’s making the most vital music of her career, winning Grammy awards and reaching a new generation of fans. Her message of love and equality is needed now more than ever. (Press materials)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Jessica Edwards.
The Family — Created by Jenna Bans (Premieres March 3 on ABC)
ABC’s new thriller “The Family” follows the return of a politician’s young son (Liam James) who was presumed dead after disappearing over a decade earlier. As this mysterious young man is welcomed back into his family, suspicions emerge — is he really who he says he is? “The Family” stars Joan Allen as Claire, Alison Pill as Willa, Margot Bingham as Sergeant Nina Meyer, Zach Gilford as Danny, Liam James as Adam, Floriana Lima as Bridey, Madeleine Arthur as Young Willa, Rarmian Newton as Young Danny, Rupert Graves as John and Andrew McCarthy as Hank. (Press materials)
VOD/DVD Releasing This Week
All Roads Lead To Rome — Directed by Ella Lamhagen (DVD, March 1)
The Danish Girl — Written by Lucinda Coxon (DVD, March 1)
Miss You Already — Directed by Catherine Hardwicke; Written by Morwenna Banks (DVD, March 1)
Sunshine Superman (Documentary) — Written and Directed by Marah Strauch (DVD, March 1)
Don Verdean — Co-Written by Jerusha Hess (DVD, March 1)
