FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING
Touch Me Not – Written and Directed by Adina Pintilie (Opens in NY)
On the fluid border between reality and fiction, “Touch Me Not” follows the emotional journeys of Laura (Laura Benson), Tómas (Tómas Lemarquis), and Christian (Christian Bayerlein), offering a deeply empathic insight into their lives. Craving intimacy yet also deeply afraid of it, they work to overcome old patterns, defense mechanisms, and taboos, to cut the cord and finally be free.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Adina Pintilie.
The Heiresses (Opens January 16 in NY)
“The Heiresses”
Chela and Chiquita have been partners for decades, lifelong members of Paraguay’s moneyed elite — until the money runs out. Now they spend their days selling their furniture, glassware, and silver to whoever will make them an offer. When Chiquita (Margarita Irun), the more garrulous and resilient of the two women, is sent to prison, Chela (Ana Brun) has to cope with loneliness and incipient poverty. Then a new option develops.
Find screening info here.
A Dog’s Way Home – Written by Cathryn Michon and W. Bruce Cameron
Separated from her owner, a dog sets off on a 400-mile journey to get back to the safety and security of the place she calls home. Along the way, she meets a series of new friends and manages to bring a little bit of comfort and joy to their lives.
Find tickets and screening info here.
Ashes in the Snow (Also Available on VOD)
“Ashes in the Snow”
In 1941, a 16 year-old aspiring artist (Bel Powley) and her family are deported to Siberia amidst Stalin’s brutal dismantling of the Baltic region. One girl’s passion for art and her never-ending hope will break the silence of history.
Alone in the Dead of Night
Mallory (Tammie Bergholdt), an injured art student, paints her sorrows at home, alone, as she drinks herself into a downward spiral of madness. She has had a bad month, a really bad month. And even a visit from her best friend, Gwen (Nicole Dambro), won’t stop Mallory from numbing herself out with too much wine, mixed with prescription painkillers. Upon leaving, Gwen gives her a beautiful necklace as a gift to cheer her up. Mallory believes that the necklace may not be what it seems, as she descends into a disturbing and isolated night of horror.
FILMS MADE BY WOMEN OPENING
“All These Small Moments”
All These Small Moments – Written and Directed by Melissa Miller Costanzo (Opens January 17) (Available on VOD January 18)
A teenage boy’s (Brendan Meyer) infatuation with a woman he sees on the bus (Jemima Kirke) further complicates his already tumultuous adolescence.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Melissa Miller Costanzo.
The Aspern Papers – Written by Hannah Bhuiya
Set in Venice in 1885, Morton Vint (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), a young writer fascinated by iconic romantic poet Jeffrey Aspern (Jon Kortajarena), strives to get his hands on the letters Aspern wrote to his beautiful mistress, Juliana Bordereau (Vanessa Redgrave). Now, decades later, Juliana lives in a Venetian palazzo with her niece (Joely Richardson), whom she dominates and Morton will come to seduce. But do these letters really exist and what scandalous information about Juliana and Aspern will they bring to the surface?
Anthem of a Teenage Prophet – Directed by Robin Hays; Written by Elisha Matic, Andy Matic, and Joshua Close (Also Available on VOD)
When teenager Luke (Cameron Monaghan) foresees the death of his best friend, he is dubbed “The Prophet of Death” when his premonition comes true. As Luke deals with being ostracized by his town, he also falls in love with his best friend’s girlfriend, Faith (Peyton List). Luke must navigate friends, family, and love in this coming-of-age story with a twist.
Tall Tales from the Magical Garden of Antoon Krings – Written by Christel Gonnard, Antoon Krings, and Arnaud Bouron (Also Available on VOD)
When Apollo (Justin Long), a kind-hearted traveling performer and ingenious cricket, lands in the village of the Funny Little Bugs, the whole kingdom is about to be disrupted. The beloved reigning queen bee Marguerite (Kate Mara) is soon kidnapped on the orders of her jealous and treacherous cousin, who sets up a trap to frame Apollo for the crime, causing panic and despair in the hive.
TV PREMIERES
“Sex Education”: Sam Taylor/ Netflix
Sex Education – Created by Laurie Nunn (Premieres January 11 on Netflix)
Insecure Otis (Asa Butterfield) has all the answers when it comes to sex advice, thanks to his therapist mom. So rebel Maeve (Emma Mackey) proposes a school sex-therapy clinic.
Three’s Complicated (TV Movie) – Written and Directed by Shari L. Carpenter (Premieres January 13 on TV One)
“Three’s Complicated” chronicles the complicated love story of 42-year-old divorcee Deja (Shanola Hampton) who after a bad day and one too many drinks has a whirlwind weekend fling with a man 10 years her junior, Woodson (Tyler Lepley). That wouldn’t be so bad, until she suspects she might be pregnant and discovers that her weekend lover may be her daughter’s (Kyanna Simone Simpson) new beau.
The Passage – Created by Liz Heldens (Premieres January 14 on FOX)
“The Passage” focuses on Project NOAH, a secret medical facility where scientists are experimenting with a dangerous virus that could lead to the cure for all disease, but also carries the potential to wipe out the human race. When a young girl, Amy Bellafonte (Saniyya Sidney, “Hidden Figures”), is chosen to be a test subject, Federal Agent Brad Wolgast (Mark-Paul Gosselaar, “Pitch”) is the man who is tasked with bringing her to Project NOAH. Ultimately, however, Wolgast becomes her surrogate father, trying to protect her at any cost.
Roswell, New Mexico – Developed By Carina Adly Mackenzie (Premieres January 15 on The CW)
“Roswell, New Mexico”: Ursula Coyote/The CW
The second adaptation based on the Roswell High book series by Melinda Metz finds biomedical researcher Liz Ortecho (Jeanine Mason) returning to her hometown after 10 years. She soon learns her teenage crush Max (Nathan Parsons) is now a police officer and he’s an alien. Liz agrees to keep his secret that also includes Max’s sister Isobel (Lily Cowles) and his friend Michael (Michael Vlamis).
A Discovery of Witches (Premieres January 17 on Sundance Now and Shudder)
“A Discovery of Witches”
Based on Deborah Harkness’ novel of the same name, historian (and reluctant witch) Diana Bishop (Teresa Palmer) meets scientist (and vampire) Matthew Clairmont (Matthew Goode) after she discovers a manuscript thought lost hundreds of years ago in the Oxford library.
VOD/STREAMING RELEASES
Halloween (VOD, January 15)
Speed Kills – Directed by Jodi Scurfield (VOD, January 15)
WOMEN AND HOLLYWOOD IN THE NEWS
The Dilemmas Of John Lasseter’s Revival At Skydance Animation (Deadline)
Time’s Up, Women and Hollywood Blast Skydance for Hiring John Lasseter (The Hollywood Reporter)
Directors nominations show that post-#MeToo Hollywood is as sexist as ever, critics say(The Mercury News)
Women in Film LA, Women and Hollywood Partner to Launch #RememberTheLadies Campaign for Oscars (Variety)
PICKS OF THE WEEK FROM WOMEN AND HOLLYWOOD
“If Beale Street Could Talk”: Annapurna Pictures
Guest Post: Hollywood, Resolve to Make 2019 the Year of Inclusive Hiring Targets
Athena Fest 2019: “Fast Color,” “Knock Down the House,” & More to Screen
“The Favourite” Leads 2019 BAFTA Nominations, Best Director Category Features No Women
Lileana Blain-Cruz on Questioning the Status Quo in “Fabulation, or The Re-Education of Undine”
Goteborg Film Fest to Sign Gender Parity Pledge, 2019 Lineup Is 41 Percent Women-Directed
Christine Lahti Discusses Playing Gloria Steinem in Off-Broadway’s “Gloria: A Life”
Golden Globes 2019: Sandra Oh, Glenn Close, & Regina King Call for Equality
Subject, Not Object: The Revelatory Sex Scenes in “If Beale Street Could Talk”
Report: Black Male Directors Made Major Gains in 2018, Number of Women Plateaued Again
Women in Film LA and Women and Hollywood Launch Campaign in Support of Women Directors
Note: All descriptions are from press materials, unless otherwise noted.
Follow Women and Hollywood on Twitter @WomenaHollywood and Melissa Silverstein @melsil.
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