Weekly Update for June 28: Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You

FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING

Ophelia – Directed by Claire McCarthy; Written by Semi Chellas (Available on VOD July 2)

Something is rotten in medieval-era Denmark, where political intrigue swirls around the imperial court like dark magic. Amid it all, the queen’s brightest lady-in-waiting, Ophelia (Daisy Ridley), finds herself drawn to Hamlet (George MacKay), the charismatic and elusive crown prince. As their secretive love affair takes flight, betrayal strikes the court, threatening to derail their union and devastate the royal family for good. Caught between her desires and her loyalty, Ophelia has to decide where her devotion will ultimately lie.

Euphoria – Written and Directed by Lisa Langseth (Also Available on VOD)

“Euphoria”: Jürgen Olczyk

Ines (Alicia Vikander) and Emilie (Eva Green), sisters in conflict, travel through Europe towards a mystery destination.

Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Lisa Langseth.

Maiden (Documentary)

“Maiden”: TIFF

The story of “Maiden” begins and ends with Tracy Edwards. What a woman. She was a lost soul who found her way to the seas by becoming a cook on a ship competing in the 4th Whitbread round-the-world yacht race in 1985. Edwards was seriously hooked — so much so that she was determined to launch her own boat for the next race, in 1989. This woman came from no money and had barely any connections, yet she was determined to make this happen. On top of that, add the fact that no woman had ever skippered a boat in this race. But Edwards did it. Just getting the team together and preparing the boat (she got money from Jordan’s King Hussein) is enough of a story to win her the Amazing Woman of the Century Award. But watching those women competing against men who believed they did not belong there was easily one of the most inspirational things I have ever seen on-screen. “Maiden” had me blubbering throughout its whole runtime. Do not miss it. (Melissa Silverstein)

Find screening info here.

In Fabric (Opens in the UK)

“In Fabric”

“In Fabric” is a haunting ghost story set against the backdrop of a busy winter sales period in a department store and follows the life of a cursed dress as it passes from person to person, with devastating consequences.

FILMS MADE BY WOMEN OPENING

Killers Anonymous – Written by Elizabeth Morris, Seth Johnson, and Martin Owen (Also Available on VOD)

Tensions mount at Killers Anonymous, a support group for killers, as the members of the group try to unravel the mystery behind which one of them is responsible for the assassination attempt on a U.S. senator that has the police authorities in the city on high alert. But things are not what they seem, and when new truths are discovered, secret alliances and betrayals emerge as the session explodes into violence and chaos, forcing the killers to kill or be killed.

TV PREMIERES

The Chosen One – Written by Carolina Munhóz and Raphael Draccon (Premieres June 28 on Netflix)

Determined to bring a Zika vaccine to the remote Pantanal, three doctors clash with a faith healer and are pulled deeper into the mysteries of his cult.

The Rook (Premieres June 30 on Starz)

“The Rook”

“The Rook” tells the story of Myfanwy Thomas (Emma Greenwell), a woman who wakes up in London with no memory of who she is and no explanation for the circle of dead bodies around her. When Myfanwy discovers she’s a high ranking official in Britain’s secret service for people with paranormal abilities, she’ll have to navigate the dangerous and complex world of the agency to uncover who wiped her memory and why.

Katherine Ryan: Glitter Room (Comedy Special) – Directed by Linda Mendoza (Premieres July 1 on Netflix)

Fresh from a tour, comedian Katherine Ryan shares shrewd observations about school bullies, revenge bodies, and raising a very fancy child.

30 for 30: The Good, The Bad, The Hungry (Documentary) – Directed by Nicole Lucas Haimes (Premieres July 2 on ESPN)

Two competitors address their years-long rivalry on their sport’s biggest stage: the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Into the Dark: Culture Shock (TV Movie) – Directed by Gigi Saul Guerrero; Written by Gigi Saul Guerrero, Efren Hernandez, and James Benson (Premieres July 4 on Hulu)

“Into the Dark: Culture Shock”: Hulu

This thriller follows a young Mexican woman in pursuit of the American Dream, who crosses illegally into the United States, only to find herself in an American nightmare.

VOD/STREAMING RELEASES

“Okko’s Inn”: Media Castle

Diane (VOD, June 28)
Breakthrough – Directed by Roxann Dawson (VOD, July 2)
Iliza Shlesinger: Over & Over (Documentary) – Written by Iliza Shlesinger (VOD, July 2)
Mia and the White Lion – Written by Prune de Maistre and William Davies (VOD, July 2)
Okko’s Inn – Written by Reiko Yoshida (VOD, July 2)
Styx – Written by Ika Künzel and Wolfgang Fischer (VOD, July 2)
Teen Spirit (VOD, July 2)