Films About Women Opening
Bottled Up — Written and Directed by Enid Zentelis
In this modern day drama, Oscar-winner Melissa Leo beautifully conveys the heart-wrenching struggle that comes with love and addiction, while also lightheartedly depicting a woman rediscovering romance. She plays hopelessly hopeful Faye, mother to Sylvie (Marin Ireland) who continues to complain of back pain many months after a car accident. After refusing physical therapy, it becomes clear to everyone but Faye that her daughter is addicted to painkillers. When earnest environmentalist Beckett (Josh Hamilton) moves to town, Faye quickly befriends him, hoping that he will be the solution to Sylvie’s problems. As Beckett finds himself further intertwined in their lives, he inadvertently helps Faye realize the depth of her family’s problem, even as he brings a touch of happiness. Before too long, Faye’s hand is forced, and she must decide whether to protect her daughter or find the happiness that she has long denied herself. (IMDB)
The Pirate Fairy — Directed by Peggy Holmes
Disney’s first post-Frozen animated outing features a girl scientist whose intellectual questions aren’t taken seriously. In my Los Angeles Times review, I wrote, “The Pirate Fairy features an enormously likable protagonist in Zarina (voiced by Christina Hendricks), the would-be Marie Curie of pixie dust, if only her scientific curiosity were encouraged. When her forbidden experiments go awry, Zarina is forced into exile. Happy to take her talents where they’re appreciated, the budding alchemist joins a human pirate gang and makes their ship fly.” (Inkoo Kang)
Two Lives — Co-Written and Directed by Judith Kaufmann
This German film follows Katrine, a woman who was the child of a Norwegian woman and German occupation soldier during WWII, whose life is going well until her lawyer asks her and her mother to witness in a trial against the Norwegian state on behalf of her children. When she resists this proposition, a plethora of secrets begin to surface, jeopardizing the well-being of Katrine and her family. (Indiewire)
Films By and About Women Currently Playing
Elaine Stritch: Just Shoot Me (Doc) — Directed by Chiemi Karasawa
Holy Ghost People
In Secret
Adult World
Child’s Pose
Vampire Academy
Gimme Shelter
Gloria
Maidentrip (doc) — Directed by Jillian Schlesinger; Written by Laura Dekker, Penelope Falk, Jillian Schlesinger
August: Osage County
The Invisible Woman — Written by Abi Morgan
Saving Mr. Banks — Written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith
Frozen — Co-Written and Co-Directed by Jennifer Lee
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The Book Thief
Gravity
Blue Jasmine
Films Directed by Women Currently Playing
Endless Love — Co-Written and Directed by Shana Feste
Films Written by Women Currently Playing
Pompeii — Co-Written by Janet Scott Batchler
About Last Night — Co-Written by Leslye Headland
Jimmy P. — Co-Written by Julie Peyr
A Field in England — Written by Amy Jump
Devil’s Due — Written by Lindsay Devlin
The Hobbit — The Desolation of Smaug — Co-Written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens
Films By and About Women on DVD or On Demand
Girl Rising
