Weekly Update for June 1: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You

FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING THIS WEEK

One Sings, the Other Doesn’t (Theatrical Re-Release) – Written and Directed by Agnès Varda (One Week Only in NY)

Agnés Varda’s enchanting ode to female friendship and liberation is part blissed-out bohemian musical, part revolutionary cri de cœur. Spanning more than a decade, it traces the ups and downs — abortion, heartbreak, marriage, motherhood — of two friends, Pauline (Valérie Mairesse) and Suzanne (Thérèse Liotard). Even as their lives radically diverge, they remain steadfastly devoted to one another while finding ways to empower other women: one as a traveling feminist folk singer, the other as a reproductive rights activist. Set against France’s pro-choice struggle — of which Varda herself was on the frontlines — this tender and intimate epic celebrates the power of women to lift one another up. (BAMcinématek)

Find screening info here.

Adrift

“Adrift”: Kirsty Griffin/STXfilms

“Adrift” is based on the inspiring true story of two sailors who set out to journey across the ocean from Tahiti to San Diego. Tami Oldham (Shailene Woodley) and Richard Sharp (Sam Claflin) couldn’t anticipate they would be sailing directly into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. In the aftermath of the storm, Tami awakens to find Richard badly injured and their boat in ruins. With no hope for rescue, Tami must find the strength and determination to save herself and the only man she has ever loved. (Press materials)

Social Animals – Written and Directed by Theresa Bennett (Also Available on VOD)

“Social Animals”

Zoe Crandle’s (Noël Wells) life didn’t exactly turn out the way she planned. She’s facing eviction, her business is going under and she is resigned to a life of one-night stands. Just when it seems her whole world is unraveling, she meets Paul, a fellow lovable loser, and the pair have an instant connection. There’s only one problem, Paul is married. With help from her best friend, Zoe devises a plan to save her business and salvage her love life. (Press materials)

To A More Perfect Union: U.S. V. Windsor (Documentary) – Directed by Donna Zaccaro (Opens June 7)

“To A More Perfect Union: U.S. V. Windsor” shares a rich tapestry of love, marriage, and a fight for equality. The film chronicles unlikely heroes — octogenarian Edie Windsor and her attorney, Roberta Kaplan, on their quest for justice. Upon the death of her spouse Thea Spyer, Windsor was forced to pay a huge estate tax bill because the government denied federal benefits to same-sex couples. Windsor became a renowned LGBTQ civil rights advocate when she chose to sue the United States government to recognize her more than 40 year union — and won. (Press materials)

Find screening info and tickets here.

Hedda Needs Help (Short) – Directed by Lisa Baron; Written by Malin Barr and Lisa Baron (June 2 Only)

Hedda (Malin Barr) is a young New York City woman, who goes to extremes to get her shot at success as an artist. Passionate and hard-working, Hedda desperately wants to to get her poems published, but as the road towards success becomes more difficult, it leads her down paths she didn’t expect to take; all of which seem to lead to disaster. (Press materials)

Find screening info and tickets here.

FILMS DIRECTED BY WOMEN OPENING THIS WEEK

“The Texture of Falling”

The Texture of Falling – Written and Directed by Maria Allred (Opens in NY; Opens in LA June 8) (Also Available on VOD)

“The Texture of Falling” follows Louisa (Julie Webb), a filmmaker reeling from a recent professional dejection, who meets Luke (Patrick Green), a pianist experiencing his own artistic crisis. Despite a long-term relationship with Ati, (Donny Persons), Louisa is intrigued by Luke. As Louisa falls for him, her skepticism of romantic love begins to unravel as she surrenders to her passions. But as Louisa and Luke’s romance blooms, a simultaneous story arises as Michael (Benjamin Farmer), a wayward architect estranged from his wife, meets Sylvia (Maria Allred), an enigmatic painter. But are these parallels merely a coincidence? Soon Michael and Sylvia embark on a verboten journey of pleasure and pain. But who is Sylvia? As Michael’s lust crescendos, he realizes that he has chosen the elusive. (Press materials)

Find screening info and tickets here.

TV PREMIERES THIS WEEK

“Dietland”

800 Words – Co-Created by Maxine Fleming (Premieres June 1 on Acorn TV)

This sweet, refreshing family drama follows Australian widower George Turner’s (Erik Thomson) impulsive decision to start afresh in the New Zealand coastal town of Weld, where he spent his summer vacations as a child. The Aussie invaders quickly become the center of attention in this small town populated by weird and wonderful locals. (Press materials)

C.B. Strike – Co-Written by J.K. Rowling (Premieres June 1 on Cinemax)

“C.B. Strike”

War veteran turned private detective Cormoran Strike (Tom Burke) solves brutal murders with the help of his trusted assistant Robin Ellacott (Holliday Grainger). Based on the novels by J.K. Rowling, aka Robert Galbraith. (Press materials)

Dietland – Created by Marti Noxon (Premieres June 4 on AMC)

“Dietland”

“Dietland” unveils one woman’s journey to self-awakening while exploring a multitude of issues faced by women today — including patriarchy, misogyny, rape culture, and unrealistic beauty standards. The 10-episode series follows Plum Kettle (Joy Nash), ghost-writer for the editor of one of New York’s hottest fashion magazines, as she struggles with self-image and sets out on a wildly complicated road to self-acceptance. At the same time, everyone is buzzing over news reports about men, accused of sexual abuse and assault, who are disappearing and meeting untimely, violent deaths. Based on Sarai Walker’s novel of the same name. (Press materials)

Unapologetic with Aisha Tyler (Talk Show) (Premieres June 4 on AMC)

“Unapologetic with Aisha Tyler” is AMC’s “Dietland” companion talk show, hosted by Aisha Tyler. Unlike a conventional after show confined to the companion series itself, “Unapologetic” will feature Tyler leading a topical discussion around the broader, female-centric issues and themes that “Dietland” explores. Tyler will be talking with celebrity fans, series actors and producers, as well as relevant journalists, writers, comedians, and other tastemakers. (Press materials)

Impulse (Premieres June 6 on YouTube Red)

Sixteen-year-old Henrietta “Henry” Coles (Maddie Hasson) is an outsider in her new town of Reston, New York. With a major chip on her shoulder and no friends, she remains withdrawn and isolated, but everything changes when a traumatic encounter with a classmate triggers something deep within Henry — unleashing a power she cannot control. (Press materials)

American Woman (Premieres June 7 on Paramount Network)

“American Woman”

This new half-hour series follows Bonnie (Alicia Silverstone), an unconventional mother struggling to raise her two daughters after leaving her husband amid the rise of second-wave feminism in the 1970s. With the help of her two best friends, Kathleen (Mena Suvari) and Diana (Jennifer Bartels), these three women each discover their own brand of independence in a glamorous and ever-changing world reluctant to give it. (Press materials)

VOD/DVD RELEASING THIS WEEK

“Freak Show”: AMC Film Holdings

Girl (Documentary) – Directed by Kandeyce Jorden (VOD, June 1)
Apostasy (VOD, June 5)
Freak Show – Directed by Trudie Styler; Co-Written by Beth Rigazio (DVD, June 5)
Monochrome (VOD, June 6)
The Nursery (VOD, June 5)
Thoroughbreds (VOD/DVD, June 5)
A Wrinkle in Time – Directed by Ava DuVernay; Co-Written by Jennifer Lee (VOD/DVD, June 5)