FILMS ABOUT WOMEN COMING TO STREAMING/VOD
She Dies Tomorrow – Written and Directed by Amy Seimetz
After waking up convinced that she is going to die the following day, Amy’s (Kate Lyn Sheil) carefully-mended life begins to unravel. As her delusions of certain death become contagious to those around her, Amy and her friends’ lives spiral out of control in a tantalizing descent into madness.
“She Dies Tomorrow” is now screening at select drive-ins. It will be available on VOD August 7.
Summerland – Written and Directed by Jessica Swale
“Summerland”: Michael Wharley
Alice (Gemma Arterton) is a reclusive writer, resigned to a solitary life on the seaside cliffs of Southern England while World War II rages across the channel. When she opens her front door one day to find she’s to adopt a young London evacuee named Frank (Lucas Bond), she’s resistant. It’s not long, however, before the two realize they have more in common in their pasts than Alice had assumed. Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Tom Courtenay also star in this intensely emotional story of love’s endurance in trying times.
“Summerland” is now in select theaters and available on VOD.
Seriously Single – Directed by Rethabile Ramaphakela and Katleho Ramaphakela; Written by Lwazi Mvusi
Dineo (Fulu Mugovhani) is the definition of serial monogamist. She dates to fall in love; she falls in love to get married. But she never gets married. She always ends up being dumped. When she meets Lunga Sibiya (Bohang Moeko), he seems to be the man she’s waited her whole life for, a man who shares her values when it comes to love and relationships. Or so she thinks — until she accidentally finds out that the man she was busy planning her forever with, had been planning his forever with someone else.
“Seriously Single” is now available on Netflix.
A Girl Missing
Ichiko (Mariko Tsutsui) is a private home-nurse who has worked for the elder matriarch of the Oishos for years and regards them as her own family. Ichiko’s quiet, routine life is shattered when a young member of the Oishos clan is kidnapped. When it is revealed that the kidnapper is none other than Ichiko’s nephew, her life begins to unravel in this taut thriller.
“A Girl Missing” is now available via virtual cinemas. Find screening info here.
CRSHD – Written and Directed by Emily Cohn
End-of-the-year celebrations are underway at a small liberal arts college in Ohio. The night’s main event? A CRUSH PARTY. The rules? Submit your crush and they get an invite. Or if you’re “crushed,” you also get an invite. Freshman Izzy Alden (Isabelle Barbier) is still a virgin and the crush party is her last chance to do something about it before summer break. She and her two best friends, Anuka (Deeksha Ketkar) and Fiona (Sadie Scott), chase their crushes both in real life and online. But Izzy’s moral compass skews as the night progresses and it seems her quest to have sex might cost her her friends.
“CRSHD” will be available on VOD August 4. Find screening info here.
House of Hummingbird – Written and Directed by Bora Kim
“House of Hummingbird”: Busan International Film Festival
Among all the people you know, how many do you understand? This question, posed by a teacher, visibly stirs 14-year-old Eun-hee (Ji-hu Park). Despite being surrounded by classmates, teachers, and family members, few seem to truly see her — or bother trying to look closely. “House of Hummingbird” takes viewers inside the teenager’s life as she struggles to understand and be understood. Set in 1994 Seoul, the semi-autobiographical coming-of-age drama sees Eun-hee finding kinship with Young-ji (Sae-byuk Kim), her compassionate new female tutor. Written off unfairly as a troublemaker by her male teacher, Eun-hee is struck by meeting an adult who seems genuinely curious about her and treats her as more than just a receptacle to impart knowledge into. The tutor’s kindness serves as a much-needed lifeline for the girl, whose verbally and physically abusive father and brother make home an unstable, and oftentimes frightening, place for her, her older sister, and their mother. (Laura Berger)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Bora Kim.
“House of Hummingbird” is now screening via virtual cinemas. It will be available on VOD August 4.
Ride Your Wave – Written by Reiko Yoshida
An ill-fated romance encourages a young woman to learn to love herself in “Ride Your Wave.” Minato (Ryota Katayose), a firefighter trainee, falls for Hinako (Rina Kawaei) after seeing her mastery over the waves — she’s a gifted surfer. The pair become inseparable, but it’s not long before a tragic accident leaves Hinako mourning the man who promised never to leave her side. Convinced that she’s unable to survive without him, Hinako struggles to move on, and begins to feel as though she can’t do anything right. In the depths of her despair, Hinako discovers that if she sings her and Minato’s favorite song, she can beckon Minato from beyond the grave. His spirit manifests in water, and only water, so she needs a drinking glass or a bathtub nearby — until she begins bringing a huge porpoise-shaped balloon filled with water everywhere she goes, causing alarm among her loved ones (LB).
“Ride Your Wave” will be available on VOD August 4.
On the Trail: Inside the 2020 Primaries (Documentary) – Directed by Katie Hinman and Toby Oppenheimer
“On the Trail: Inside the 2020 Primaries”: WarnerMedia
The cinema verité feature reveals the lives and personal grit of veteran journalists and intrepid first-timers, Dana Bash, Kaitlan Collins, Jessica Dean, Daniella Diaz, Annie Grayer, Kyung Lah, MJ Lee, Abby Phillip, Arlette Saenz, and Jasmine Wright, against the backdrop of the volatile 2020 race. Beginning just days prior to the Iowa caucuses, viewers see the journalists pack up and leave their families to fan out across the country and report on the president and his would-be rivals, as the candidates launch — and end — campaigns, and contend for voters. The film is punctuated with intimate interviews with these journalists, detailing the lives they put on pause back home. They bring their training and life perspectives to the job, while demonstrating what it takes to be a top political reporter in the arena.
“On the Trail” will be available on HBO Max August 6.
The Vow from Hiroshima (Documentary) – Directed by Susan Strickler
Marking the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, “The Vow From Hiroshima” is an intimate portrait of Setsuko Thurlow, a passionate 85-year-old survivor of the atomic bomb. Her moving story is told through the lens of her growing friendship with a second-generation survivor, Mitchie Takeuchi.
“The Vow from Hiroshima” will be available on OVID.tv August 6.
La Llorona
Indignant retired general Enrique finally faces trial for the genocidal massacre of thousands of Mayans decades ago. As a horde of angry protesters threatens to invade their opulent home, the women of the house including his haughty wife, conflicted daughter, and precocious granddaughter, weigh their responsibility to shield the erratic, senile Enrique against the devastating truths being publicly revealed and the increasing sense that a wrathful supernatural force is targeting them for his crimes. Meanwhile, much of the family’s domestic staff flees, leaving only loyal housekeeper Valeriana until a mysterious young Indigenous maid arrives.
“La Llorona” will be available on Shudder August 6.
FILMS MADE BY WOMEN COMING TO STREAMING/VOD
Black Is King (Visual Album) – Written and Directed by Beyoncé
“Black Is King”: Travis Matthews
The voyages of Black families, throughout time, are honored in this tale about a young king’s transcendent journey through betrayal, love, and self-identity. His ancestors help guide him toward his destiny, and with his father’s teachings and guidance from his childhood love, he earns the virtues needed to reclaim his home and throne. These timeless lessons are revealed and reflected through Black voices of today, now sitting in their own power.
“Black Is King” is now available on Disney+.
The Fight (Documentary) – Directed by Elyse Steinberg, Josh Kriegman, and Eli Despres
“The Fight”
Every day of the three-and-a-half years that we have endured the Trump presidency has felt like a fight — a fight for our rights and for the world we want to live in. The lawyers of the ACLU have been on the front lines of this fight in such a profound way. “The Fight,” a new documentary directed by Elyse Steinberg, Josh Kriegman, and Eli Despres, takes us behind the scenes of this epic battle, shining a spotlight on the very tired lawyers who are working day in and day out to hold the line for our rights. We see Lee Gelernt taking the administration to court to fight for the kids who were put in cages. We see Chase Strangio fighting for trans rights. We see Brigitte Amiri fighting for our reproductive rights, and we see Dale Ho fighting the corruption of the census. This film is a reminder of the sacrifice that people make to take on these cases: the endless hours of travel, weekends spent working, and incredible stress endured. We owe each of these lawyers a huge thank you. (Melissa Silverstein)
“The Fight” is now in select theaters and available on VOD. Find screening info here.
A Most Beautiful Thing (Documentary) – Written and Directed by Mary Mazzio
“A Most Beautiful Thing”
“A Most Beautiful Thing,” narrated by Common, chronicles the first African American high school rowing team in this country — made up of young men, many of whom were in rival gangs from the West Side of Chicago — all coming together to row in the same boat.
“A Most Beautiful Thing” is now available via Xfinity On Demand.
Latte and the Magic Waterstone – Directed by Regina Welker and Nina Wells; Written by Andrea Deppert and Martin Behnke
“Latte and the Magic Waterstone” follows the journey of a young hedgehog who wants to save the forest and its inhabitants from a horrible drought by reclaiming a magical waterstone from the bear king.
“Latte and the Magic Waterstone” is now available on Netflix.
The Resistance Fighter – Written by Sylwia Wilkos and Wladyslaw Pasikowski
“The Resistance Fighter” tells the incredible true story of the “Polish James Bond,” the legendary courier from Warsaw, a spy whose lonely mission could decide the fate of Poland and World War II.
“The Resistance Fighter” will be available on VOD August 4.
TV PREMIERES
Get Even – Created by Holly Phillips (Premieres July 31 on Netflix)
Kitty Wei, Bree Deringer, Margot Rivers, and Olivia Hayes form DGM (Don’t Get Mad) to expose the bullies at their school. However, when one of their targets is murdered by an unknown attacker and holds a note saying “DGM” in his hand, the girls realize somebody is trying to frame them for his murder.
The Go-Go’s (Documentary) – Directed by Alison Ellwood (Premieres July 31 on Showtime)
“The Go-Go’s”
As the first multi-platinum-selling, all-female band to play their own instruments, write their own songs, and soar to No. 1 on the album charts, the Go-Go’s are the most successful female rock band of all time. Rooted in the LA punk scene, the Go-Go’s didn’t play the part of bad girls; they were genuine punk rockers. With full access to the Go-Go’s, both past and present, this candid archive-rich documentary assesses the group’s place in music history and examines the personalities and dynamics behind their rise, fall, and numerous reincarnations.
Seeing America with Megan Rapinoe (Special) (Premieres August 1 on HBO)
Rapinoe
Flanked by U.S. House of Representatives member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY); Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, who covers racial injustice for the New York Times; and comedian, television host, and two-time Peabody Award winner Hasan Minhaj, Megan Rapinoe will lead a spirited dialogue with these change-makers aiming to help shape the ongoing cultural conversation that has been taking place during this significant time in our country’s history.
Immigration Nation (Docuseries) – Created by Christina Clusiau and Shaul Schwarz (Premieres August 3 on Netflix)
“Immigration Nation” covers the Trump administration’s notorious “zero-tolerance” immigration policy through both the eyes of immigrants entering the system and of the internal department itself, so viewers can witness the experience from both sides.
Chez Jolie Coiffure (Documentary) – Directed by Rosine Mbakam (Premieres August 3 on PBS)
“Chez Jolie Coiffure”: Icarus Films
“Chez Jolie Coiffure” centers on Sabine, an undocumented émigré who runs a salon in the African quarter of Brussels. Her request for asylum has been repeatedly rejected and there are frequent immigration raids in her neighborhood. Yet she’s unwaveringly cheerful and fun — it’s no wonder clients choose her to do their hair. Sabine also spends her time organizing a network to support fellow Cameroon émigrés by raising money, recruiting new members, and helping people who need work and lodging. (Rachel Montpelier)
Sex Next Door (Docuseries) (Premieres August 3 on Quibi)
The series is an intimate, introspective look at the personal and professional lives of young people working in the sex industry. It explores the stigma and pressures that sex workers face by examining their relationships with family, clients, partners, and themselves.
Sam Jay: 3 In The Morning (Comedy Special) – Written by Sam Jay (Premieres August 4 on Netflix)
“Sam Jay: 3 In The Morning”: Marcus Price/NETFLIX
Following her Netflix debut on “The Comedy Lineup, Part 1,” Emmy Award-nominated “Saturday Night Live” writer Sam Jay is back with her first hour-long Netflix original comedy special, “3 in the Morning.” Filmed at The Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia, Sam Jay delivers the witty, candid, and raw brand of comedy that earned her recognition as a standout comic.
Coroner – Created by Morwyn Brebner (Premieres August 5 on The CW)
Dr. Jenny Cooper (Serinda Swan), a recently widowed, newly appointed coroner investigates any suspicious, unnatural, or sudden deaths in Toronto. Each death brings Jenny into a new arena in the city and sparks buzzworthy themes — Jenny taps into her intuition, as much as her intellect and heart, as she solves cases along with the help of Homicide Detective Donovan “Mac” McAvoy (Roger Cross), a man who isn’t afraid of challenging status quo; pathologist Dr. Dwayne Allen (Lovell Adams-Gray); his assistant River Baitz (Kiley May); and Alison Trent (Tamara Podemski), Jenny’s assistant who keeps it real. And while Jenny solves mysterious deaths, she also deals with clinical anxiety, a teenage son, Ross (Ehren Kassam), who is still grieving the death of his father, and the prospect of starting a new relationship with the enigmatic Liam (Éric Bruneau).
Hitmen (Premieres August 6 on Peacock)
Fran and Jamie (Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc) are best friends and business partners — they just happen to kill people for a living. Having stumbled into a career in contract killing, the misfit duo are definitely not your typical killers for hire.
W&H AND TOGETHER FILMS LAUNCH #WOMENTOGETHER
We are very excited to introduce Women Together, a new initiative brought to you by Women and Hollywood and Together Films, with the goal of promoting women-created and women-centric content. Together, we want to use our expertise to set up the infrastructure and engagement to promote women in our industry.
Whether a project needs a closed “influencer” screening, an online outreach campaign for its opening weekend, or a curated post-show Q&A, we work in a variety of ways to increase visibility, viability, impact, and traffic. Our only criteria? To promote content by and/or about women for everyone.
If you are interested in chatting to us about an upcoming project, please reach out at WomenTogether@
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK
Zendaya in “Euphoria”
TIFF’s 2020 Feature Lineup Is 46 Percent Women-Directed, Will Close with Mira Nair’s “A Suitable Boy”
Exclusive: Climate Change and Feminism Podcast “Mothers of Invention” Is Back With Season 3 Trailer
Collective Cameras: VOD and Web Series Picks
WOC Unite and The Bitch Pack Call On Execs and Companies to Join #Startwith8Hollywood Initiative
Emmy Nominations: Regina King, Zendaya, Lynn Shelton, and More
Venice Film Festival’s 2020 Competition Lineup Marks Historic High for Women Directors
Joanna Hogg, Veronika Franz, and More Join Cate Blanchett on Venice Film Fest’s Main Jury
Chloé Zhao’s Frances McDormand-Starrer “Nomadland” to Make World Premiere at Venice and TIFF
Absence on Both Sides of the Camera: Crowdfunding Picks
Bentonville Film Festival’s Feature Film Showcase Is Over 80 Percent Women-Directed
