FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING THIS WEEK

With over 200 million album sales worldwide, and remaining the only artist to chart seven consecutive U.S. No. 1’s, Whitney Houston was the voice of a generation. Coming from an esteemed lineage of singers, Whitney was destined to be plucked from her gospel-singing roots to rule the world stage. She inspired a generation of singers from Mariah Carey to Beyoncé, and her unforgettable performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” unlocked an anthem that had for so long been dismissed by many black artists. But all these achievements have become a footnote to a story of addiction and self-destruction. With salacious stories filling the columns of tabloid papers and magazines, Whitney had the voice of an angel onstage, but was being torn apart by her demons offstage. “Whitney” will, for the first time, give audiences an unprecedented and unique look into Whitney’s life. (Press materials)

The More You Ignore Me – Written by Jo Brand (Opens in the UK)

A warm comedy drama focusing on the life of an unconventional family in 1980s rural England. Gina’s (Sheridan Smith) efforts to be a loving mother and wife are undermined by her declining mental health. Things deteriorate when she develops an obsession with the local weatherman, which leads to an admission to the nearby psychiatric hospital. Over the years, as she grows up, her daughter Alice (Ella Hunt) struggles to relate to her heavily medicated mom, and causes chaos when she comes up with a plan to reconnect with her, which divides the family forever. (Press materials)

Sharp Edges (Documentary) – Directed by Sandra Luckow (One-Week Run) 

“Sharp Edges”

“Sharp Edges” features a 15-year-old Tonya Harding going to her first National Figure Skating Championships. The film includes interviews with both Tonya and her now infamous mother, LaVona Golden (played by Academy Award winner Allison Janney in “I, Tonya”). The documentary provided invaluable background for the cast and filmmakers of “I, Tonya” and clips from the film have been licensed over the years in numerous shows ranging from “60 Minutes” to ESPN’s “30 for 30 The Price of Gold,” and most recently 20/20’s “Truth and Lies: The Tonya Harding Story.” (Press materials)

FILMS DIRECTED BY WOMEN OPENING THIS WEEK

Welcome to the Sunset Society, a secret organization in Hollywood where parties are held, musicians gather, and blood flows freely! Ace (Lemmy) is the head vampire in charge who likes to keep the fun going while keeping the profile low. However, due to a few rebels in his midst, humans are starting to catch on to his vampire ways. In an attempt to keep a lid on his organization, Ace enlists the help of Frankie (Ron Jeremy), Sophia (Phoebe Dollar), and Mr. Cross (Robert Donavan) to stop the leak of information. (Press materials)

The Broken Ones – Directed by Elyse Niblett-Russell; Written by Cece King (Opens July 10)

“The Broken Ones”

Based on a true story from writer Cece King, “The Broken Ones” is about one woman’s struggle to cope with the loss of her father in the 9/11 attacks. This intense, romantic drama carefully delves into the struggles of depression as two troubled strangers meet and help each other overcome personal fears and tragedies. (Press materials)

FILMS WRITTEN BY WOMEN OPENING THIS WEEK

“Bleeding Steel”

Lin (Jackie Chan) is a police inspector in modern Hong Kong. While tracking down a deranged, mecha-enhanced villain, Lin discovers that a geneticist’s lost bio-chemical invention has been surgically implanted into his missing daughter. With the help of a young hacker, Lin connects the dots between the device that haunts his daughter, his enemy’s sinister army, and a strange cultural phenomenon called “Bleeding Steel.” (Press materials)

Gauguin: Voyage to Tahiti – Co-Written by Sarah Kaminsky (Opens July 11)

French artist Paul Gauguin (Vincent Cassel) was an innovator of modern art, known for experimenting with bold color and distorted proportions, along with his contemporaries Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cézanne. By 1891, Gauguin was already well-known in artistic circles, but had grown tired of the civilized world and its political and moral conventions. Leaving his wife and children behind, he ventures alone to Tahiti, consumed with a yearning for new inspiration. Pushing deep into the Tahitian jungle, Gauguin meets Tehura (Tuheï Adams), his muse, who will consume his mind, and inspire his most iconic works of art. (Press materials)

TV PREMIERES THIS WEEK

A child star in the ’80s, Samantha (Emanuelle Araújo) clings to the fringes of celebrity with hilarious harebrained schemes to launch herself back into stardom. (Press materials)

Sacred Games – Co-Written by Smita Singh (Premieres July 6 on Netflix)

A link in their pasts leads an honest cop (Saif Ali Khan) to a fugitive gang boss (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), whose cryptic warning spurs the officer on a quest to save Mumbai from cataclysm. (Press materials)

Mr. Sunshine – Written by Kim Eun-sook (Premieres July 7 on Netflix)

Set in Shinmiyangyo, or the U.S. expedition to Korea in the late 19th century, “Mr. Sunshine” tells the story of a Korean boy born into a family house servants running away to board an American warship, later to return to his homeland as a U.S. marine officer. He (Lee Byung-hun) ironically falls in love with an aristocrat’s daughter (Kim Tae-ri) and discovers the dark scheme to colonize the country that he once ran away from. (Deadline)

Sharp Objects (Miniseries) – Created by Marti Noxon (Premieres July 8 on HBO)

“Sharp Objects”

Based on the book of the same name by The New York Times bestselling author Gillian Flynn, this eight-episode series tells the story of reporter Camille Preaker (Amy Adams), who returns to her small hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls. Trying to put together a psychological puzzle from her past, she finds herself identifying with the young victims a bit too closely. (Press materials)

The Outpost (Premieres July 10 on The CW)

Talon (Jessica Green), the lone survivor of a race called the Blackbloods, sets off to the edge of civilization to track her family’s killers. On her journey she discovers her supernatural powers, which she must learn to harness to achieve her goals. (Press materials)

The Disappearance – Co-Created and Co-Written by Geneviève Simard (Premieres July 12 on WGN America)

When Henry Sullivan (Peter Coyote) organizes a treasure hunt for his grandson Anthony’s (Michael Riendeau) 10th birthday, things take a turn for the worst when Anthony suddenly goes missing. “The Disappearance” follows Luke Sullivan (Aden Young) and Helen Murphy Sullivan (Camille Sullivan) as they delve into the all-consuming investigation of what happened to their son on that harrowing day. As the Sullivans and their extended kin grapple with the inexplicable mystery, deep familial secrets become uncovered and threaten to shatter the family unit. (Press materials)

VOD/DVD RELEASING THIS WEEK

PICKS OF THE WEEK FROM WOMEN AND HOLLYWOOD

ON WOMEN AND HOLLYWOOD THIS WEEK

“Claws”

Andrea Riseborough Creates Production Company to Support Women in the Industry
The Orchard Snags “Susanne Bartsch: On Top”
Tonya Harding Doc “Sharp Edges” Acquired by Neon
Lily James to Co-Star with Gillian Anderson in “All About Eve” Stage Adaptation
“Claws” Renewed for Season 3
Submit Now: “The Spy Who Dumped Me” Female Storyteller Contest
Susanne Bier’s “A Second Chance” Secures Theatrical Release in the U.S.
Trailer Watch: Career Day Goes Awry in Judy Greer’s “A Happening of Monumental Proportions”
Kamil Oshundara Joins Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Prods. as Cultural Exec
Maria Melnik to Adapt Superhero Comic “Faith”
Jane Fonda Donates Collection of Films, Letters, & More to Smith College
Trailer Watch: Patty Jenkins Investigates Hollywood’s Dark Secrets in “I Am the Night”
Nicole Amber Maines to Star in LGBTQ Vampire Story “Bit”
Trailer Watch: Rose Byrne Falls for Her Boyfriend’s Hero in “Juliet, Naked”
Shana Feste Writing and Directing Feminist Horror Pic “Run Sweetheart Run”
Trailer Watch: Emily Mortimer Fights to Keep Her Business Open in “The Bookshop”
Three Women-Created YA Pilots in the Works at Amazon
Greta Gerwig May Direct “Little Women,” Meryl Streep, Emma Stone, Saoirse Ronan Circling
Sign Up Now: #TimesUp Creates a Database of Critics and Entertainment Reporters
All-Female Ambulance Corps Doc “93Queen” Goes to Abramorama
CAA Launches Database of TV Writers of Color
Trailer Watch: Lily James Reports on “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”
Trailer Watch: An Iconic Makeup Artist Is Remembered in “Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story”

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