Films About Women Opening
Band of Sisters (doc) — Written and Directed by Mary Fishman
“I did exactly what the church asked me — and now, the church is looking at me like, where have you come from… who are you?” says Sister Nancy Sylvester, IHM (Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary), in Band of Sisters about the remarkable transformation of Catholic nuns in the United States since Vatican II of the 1960s, and the reaction of some members of the church hierarchy who oppose their changes. Perhaps more than any other group, U.S. nuns embraced Vatican II’s call to serve where there was the greatest need. In Band of Sisters, two nuns advocate for the rights of immigrant detainees and deportees in and around a Chicago-area deportation center. It has been 50 years since Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council to let a little fresh air into the church, and most Catholic nuns in the U.S. have never looked back. Fascinating scenes of convent life prior to Vatican II contrast with those of nuns in the tumultuous and exciting years after the Council, when sisters became engaged with the great social movements of our day. (IMDB)
Maidentrip (doc) — Directed by Jillian Schlesinger; Written by Laura Dekker, Penelope Falk, Jillian Schlesinger
14-year-old Laura Dekker sets out with camera in hand on a two-year voyage in pursuit of her dream to be the youngest person ever to sail around the world alone. In the wake of a year-long battle with Dutch authorities that sparked a global storm of media scrutiny, Laura now finds herself far from land, family and unwanted attention, exploring the world in search of freedom, adventure, and distant dreams of her early youth at sea. Jillian Schlesinger’s debut feature amplifies Laura’s brave, defiant voice through a mix of Laura’s own video and voice recordings at sea and intimate verite footage from locations including the Galapagos Islands, French Polynesia, Australia, and South Africa. (IMDB)
Gloria
Gloria is a “woman of a certain age” but still feels young. Though lonely, she makes the best of her situation and fills her nights seeking love at social dance clubs for single adults. Her fragile happiness changes the day she meets Rodolfo. Their intense passion, to which Gloria gives her all, leaves her vacillating between hope and despair — until she uncovers a new strength and realizes that, in her golden years, she can shine brighter than ever. Gloria stars Paulina Garcia in a tour-de-force performance that captured the Silver Bear Best Actress Award at last year’s Berlin Film Festival. (IMDB)
Films About Women Currently Playing
Raze
Comes the Night
The Banshee Chapter
The Wait
The Truth About Emanuel — Written and Directed by Francesca Gregorini
In Bloom — Written and Co-Directed by Nana Ekvtimishvili
Free Ride — Written and Directed by Shana Betz
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
Blue is the Warmest Color
Gravity
Films Written by Women Opening
Devil’s Due — Written by Lindsay Devlin
After a mysterious, lost night on their honeymoon, a newlywed couple (Zach Gilford and Allison Miller) finds themselves dealing with an earlier-than-planned pregnancy. While recording everything for posterity, the husband begins to notice odd behavior in his wife that they initially write off to nerves, but, as the months pass, it becomes evident that the dark changes to her body and mind have a much more sinister origin. (IMDB)
Films Written by Women Currently Playing
The Hobbit — The Desolation of Smaug — Co-Written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens
Dallas Buyers Club — Co-Written by Melissa Wallack
Films By and About Women on DVD/And Or On Demand
Blue Jasmine
In A World…
Sunlight Jr.
Vino Veritas — Directed by Sarah Knight
