FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING
Endzeit – Ever After – Directed by Carolina Hellsgård; Written by Olivia Vieweg (Opens in NY; Opens in LA June 28)
A zombie apocalypse provides the backdrop for “Endzeit – Ever After,” but Carolina Hellsgård’s film is more interested in grief, remorse, and survivor’s guilt than straight-up horror. After a virus hits Germany — one that turns humans into flesh-eating monsters — only two cities are left standing. In Weimar, anyone infected is killed; in Jena, research is underway for a cure. Most of “Endzeit” sees Vivi (Gro Swantje Kohlhof) and Eva (Maja Lehrer) making their way from the former to the latter. The young women make quite the duo. Vivi is nearly paralyzed with fear and guilt, while Eva seems as if she was born to fight off zombies. But as they get to know each other — and as the audience gets to know them — secrets start coming to the surface. Perhaps Vivi isn’t as passive as she appears. Maybe Eva is more conflicted about killing zombies than she lets on. (Rachel Montpelier)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Carolina Hellsgård.
Find screening info here.
The Chambermaid – Directed by Lila Avilés; Written by Lila Avilés and Juan Carlos Marquéz (Opens June 26 in NY)
“The Chambermaid”: TIFF
Eve (Gabriela Cartol), a young chambermaid at a luxurious Mexico City hotel, confronts the monotony of long workdays with quiet examinations of forgotten belongings and budding friendships that nourish her newfound and determined dream for a better life.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Lila Avilés.
Find screening info here.
Wild Rose – Written by Nicole Taylor (Opens in NY and LA)
“Wild Rose”
Jessie Buckley, whom some of us recently saw in “Chernobyl,” barrels through “Wild Rose” with such intensity that you can’t help but be sucked in. Rose-Lynn (Buckley) is a Scottish country singer who dreams of Nashville. But she’s a mess. She’s just gotten out of jail and her mom, who has been taking care of her kid, is waiting for her to give up the dream and get her act together. But Rose-Lynn just can’t give up. Sophie Okonedo gets pulled into her dream and helps Rose-Lynn along the way. But Rose-Lynn, at times, can’t seem to get out of her own way, disappointing herself and others. “Wild Rose” is about pursuing your dreams even if it isn’t easy — or if the end of the road is not what you expected. It’s about being true to yourself. Buckley pops off the screen and her energy is infectious and exhilarating. (Melissa Silverstein)
Find screening info here.
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am (Documentary) (Opens in NY and LA)
“Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am”
This artful and intimate meditation on the legendary storyteller examines her life, her works, and the powerful themes she has confronted throughout her literary career. Toni Morrison leads an assembly of her peers, critics, and colleagues on an exploration of race, history, America, and the human condition.
Find screening info here.
Mari – Written and Directed by Georgia Parris (Opens in the UK)
“Mari” is a moving dance drama focused on a mother and her two daughters dealing with the devastating gradual decline and eventual passing of their mother and grandmother, Mari. Centered on the tensions that linger over the family’s strained relationships, Mari’s ill health brings them all together, forcing them to deal with their issues and find a way through a time of shared loss.
Find screening info here.
Anna
Beneath Anna Poliatova’s (Sasha Luss) striking beauty lies a secret that will unleash her indelible strength and skill to become one of the world’s most feared government assassins. An electrifying thrill ride unfolds with propulsive energy, startling twists, and breathtaking action.
Find screening info here.
Surprise Me! – Written and Directed by Nancy Goodman (Opens in LA)
What if pain was merely a set up for the ultimate surprise party? Genie Burns, owner of Surprise Enterprise, masterminds off the wall surprise parties in nobody would-suspect-it locations. Here she takes crazy risks but in her love life, she plays it safe. Her partner Steven, who hilariously calls her out on every issue she owns, is gay which makes him safe. Danny, her friend from college would be perfect for her but she keeps him in the friend zone. Along comes Jeff, everything she avoids, but his charm and depth draw her in. Meanwhile, Surprise Enterprise is hired by an anonymous Hollywood producer to throw a surprise wedding for his intended bride. Genie must get the bride down the aisle without knowing she’s the bride. But as Genie plans the wedding, everything seems to go wrong, and her own life begins to take turns.
FILMS MADE BY WOMEN OPENING
“Before Stonewall”
Before Stonewall (Documentary) (Theatrical Re-Release) – Directed by Greta Schiller and Robert Rosenberg (Opens in NY; Opens in LA June 28)
“Before Stonewall” moves through the 20th century, examining the social and cultural context leading up to the “sudden” burst of political energy of the Stonewall riots — highlighting the social experimentation of the Roaring Twenties, to the discovery of the true size of this “hidden society” during World War II, to the scapegoating of homosexuals during the McCarthy era, and to the African-American experience, exploring how the Black Power and Civil Rights movements were prototypes for the gay rights movement. Narrated by iconic author Rita Mae Brown, “Before Stonewall” includes groundbreaking interviews with Ann Bannon, Martin Duberman, Allen Ginsberg, Barbara Gittings, Harry Hay, Mabel Hampton, Dr. Evelyn Hooker, Frank Kameny, Audre Lorde, Richard Bruce Nugent, Jose Sarria, and many others.
Read Greta Schiller’s guest post for Women and Hollywood.
Toy Story 4 – Written by Stephany Folsom and Andrew Stanton
“Toy Story 4”
When a new toy called “Forky” (Tony Hale) joins Woody (Tom Hanks) and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy.
Find screening info here.
Into the Mirror – Directed by Lois Stevenson
Daniel (Jamie Bacon) is a young man struggling with an inner identity that is desperate to be realized. After leaving his father to move to London, his subconscious desires begin to take control. Led by his new co-worker and upon finding London’s Drag hotspot Lost & Found nightclub, Daniel realizes his life will never have to be the same again.
Nightmare Cinema (Anthology) – Written by Sandra Becerrill, Mick Garris, Alejandro Brugués, David Slade, and Lawrence Connolly (Also Available on VOD)
In this twisted horror anthology, five strangers are drawn to an abandoned theater and forced to watch their deepest and darkest fears play out before them. Lurking in the shadows is the Projectionist (Mickey Rourke), who preys upon their souls with his collection of disturbing films. As each reel spins its sinister tale, the characters find frightening parallels to their own lives.
Find screening info here.
La Misma Sangre – Written by Ana Cohan and Miguel Cohan (Available on Netflix)
The strong family Santiago (Diego Velázquez) and Carla (Dolores Fonzi) have built is challenged when Carla’s mother appears dead after an accident and Santiago suspects that his father-in-law is to blame.
TV PREMIERES
Tokyo Alice (Premieres June 21 on Netflix)
This romantic drama series follows fashion-mad Fuu (Mizuki Yamamoto), manga-artist Mizuho (Reina Triendl), cool doctor Sayuri (Aya Asahina), and preppy gallery assistant Rio (Shô Ikushima) as they live together in a shared house in Daikanyama and pursue their own happiness in terms of romance and career.
Bolívar – Written by Juana Uribe (Premieres June 21 on Netflix)
This dramatization depicts the life — and loves — of Venezuelan Gen. Simón Bolívar, who helped liberate several Latin American Countries from Spain.
Farrah Fawcett: Behind Closed Doors (Documentary Special) (Premieres June 24 on Reelz)
She was the stunning Texas beauty who took Hollywood by storm. A famous head of hair, a legendary poster, and a starring role on “Charlie’s Angels” secured her place among the stars. Farrah Fawcett was never destined to play by anyone else’s rules. But no amount of professional success could prepare the fearless risk taker for a devastating cancer diagnosis. “Farrah Fawcett: Behind Closed Doors” takes a look at the life and legacy of the original angel and poster-girl-next-door.
VOD/STREAMING RELEASES
“Little”: Eli Joshua Ade, Universal Pictures
East LA Interchange (Documentary) – Directed by Betsy Kalin; Written by Christine Louise Mills (Amazon, Available Now)
The Aftermath – Written by Anna Waterhouse and Joe Shrapnel (VOD, June 25)
Bittersweet Symphony (VOD, June 25)
High Life – Directed by Claire Denis; Written by Claire Denis, Jean-Pol Fargeau, and Geoff Cox (VOD, June 25)
Little – Directed by Tina Gordon Chism; Written by Tracy Oliver and Tina Gordon Chism (VOD, June 25)
PICKS OF THE WEEK FROM WOMEN AND HOLLYWOOD
Laugh It Off: Crowdfunding Picks
2019 Kilroys List Spotlights 33 Plays from Women, Trans, & Nonbinary Writers
UK Channel ITV Will No Longer Commission Comedy Shows from All-Male Writing Teams
Janet Mock Makes History with Overall Netflix Deal
Guest Post: What I Learned From Revisiting My 1984 Documentary “Before Stonewall”
Number of Women Directors, Writers, & More at U.S. Film Fests Reaches Historic High
New Georges Founder Susan Bernfield Talks Empowering Women in Theater
Alyssa Milano Publishes State-by-State Abortion Legislation Guide for Film Industry
Locarno Film Festival to Open with Ginevra Elkann’s “Magari”
Under the Radar: “A Woman’s Work” Tackles Gendered Notions of Labor
Note: All descriptions are from press materials, unless otherwise noted.
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