Dear followers:

Welcome to the Women and Hollywood Weekly Update. Each week we will be sharing with you films by and about women that are opening around the U.S. We’ll also include information about VOD/DVD releases.

Thanks for reading.

Films About Women Opening This Week

Me Before You — Directed by Thea Sharrock; Written by Jojo Moyes

Louise “Lou” Clark (Emilia Clarke) is a millennial with no focus and a need to make money to support her working class family in the English countryside. She takes a job as a companion to Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a disabled and extremely wealthy man who suffered his injuries in a motorbike accident two years ago. He is miserable and unable to reconcile the life he is now forced to lead with the life he once led as a master of the universe and all-around perfect rich white guy. Lou makes him come alive again and remember that there is still good in life. He in turn opens up Lou to all types of culture and adventure she never imagined experiencing. But while you expect this to have a happy, typical romantic movie ending, prepare yourself (if you have not read the book) for something different. A touching tearjerker with a great performance from the mother of dragons herself in a completely different role. (Melissa Silverstein)

Read Women and Hollywood’s interviews with Thea Sharrock and Jojo Moyes.

The Fits — Written and Directed by Anna Rose Holmer (Opens in NY; Opens in LA June 10)

Toni (played by Royalty Hightower, a true discovery) boxes and hangs out in the gym with her brother and all the other male gym rats in Cincinnati’s West End. But she is fascinated and wants to be a part of the girls’ dance team who exude confidence and support, and have clearly built a close community with each other. As Toni becomes engaged with the team, girls develop fits, some so intense that they need to be hospitalized. No one knows what is causing the fits. Is it the water? And then there is the big question: are the episodes real? Toni gets sucked into this world in a big way for the discipline, camaraderie, and status — but acceptance has a price. For those interested in “The Fits’” take on a female-centric coming-of-age story fused with a medical mystery, you may also want to check out Carol Morley’s “The Falling,” which is available to stream on Netflix. (Melissa Silverstein)

Creedmoria — Written and Directed by Alicia Slimmer (Opens in LA)

Candy (Stef Dawson) injects the “fun” in her dysfunctional life. When your brother is found by a neighbor naked and drunk, you’re stuck with a caveman of a boyfriend, you have a dickhead boss, and the madness of everyday life competes with your mother’s need to appear “normal,” you have to peek between the cracks to find the warm rays of hope. But, maybe normalcy is just a construct for other people. And, maybe breaking out of the institution is more important than fitting in. After years of trying to save those she loves, it’s time for Candy to save herself. (Press materials)

Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Alicia Slimmer.

Honeyglue (Opens in NY; Opens in LA and San Francisco June 10; Opens in Seattle and Portland June 17)

After learning that she has three months left to live, Morgan (Adriana Mather) turns her protected middle class life upside down. That’s when she meets Jordan (Zach Villa), a rebellious, gender-defying artist, and together they embark on an adventure of a lifetime. With a hand-held camera, the pair document their time together, creating a lasting record of what — and who — really matters in life. (Press materials)

The Witness (Documentary) (Opens in NY)

On March 13, 1964, Kitty Genovese was repeatedly attacked on a street in Kew Gardens, Queens. Soon after, The New York Times published a front-page story asserting that 38 witnesses watched her being murdered from their apartment windows — and did nothing to help. The death of Kitty Genovese, 28, quickly became a symbol of urban apathy. “The Witness” follows the efforts of her brother Bill Genovese as he looks to uncover the truth buried beneath the story. In the process, he makes startling discoveries about the crime that transformed his life, condemned a city, and defined an era. (Press materials)

Films About Women Currently Playing

• Alice Through the Looking Glass — Written by Linda Woolverton
• Princess — Written and Directed by Tali Shalom Ezer (Also available on VOD)
• Presenting Princess Shaw (Documentary) (Also available on VOD)
• To Life (À La Vie) (Also available on VOD)
• Ma ma
• Maggie’s Plan — Written and Directed by Rebecca Miller
• Sunset Song
• Love & Friendship
• Black Girl (Restored Print)
• A Monster With A Thousand Heads — Written by Laura Santulla
• Dark Horse (Documentary) — Written and Directed by Louise Osmond
• Mother’s Day — Co-Written by Anya Kochoff and Lily Hollander
• The Huntsman: Winter’s War
• Sworn Virgin — Directed by Laura Bispuri; Written by Laura Bispuri and Francesca Manieri
• Eva Hesse (Documentary) — Written and Directed by Marcie Begleiter
• The Meddler — Written and Directed by Lorene Scafaria
• The Boss — Co-Written by Melissa McCarthy
• God’s Not Dead 2
• April and the Extraordinary World
• My Big Fat Greek Greek Wedding 2 — Written by Nia Vardalos
• Krisha
• The Divergent Series: Allegiant
• Hello, My Name is Doris — Co-Written by Laura Terruso
• 10 Cloverfield Lane
• Eye in the Sky
• Miracles From Heaven — Directed by Patricia Riggen
• Zootopia
• The Witch

Films Directed by Women Opening This Week

Gurukulam (Documentary) — Co-Directed by Jillian Elizabeth (Opens in NY; Opens in LA June 10)

In vivid and sensuous detail, “Gurukulam” follows a group of students and their teacher as they confront fundamental questions about the nature of reality and self-identity at a remote forest ashram in southern India. Daily chores, meditation, ritual, and rigorous study are woven together connecting the natural and spiritual worlds in moments of surprising revelation and comic contradiction. (Press materials)

Films Directed by Women Currently Playing

• Chevalier — Co-Written and Directed by Athina Rachel Tsangari
• Weiner (Documentary) — Co-Written and Co-Directed by Elyse Steinberg
• Unlocking the Cage (Documentary) — Co-Directed by Chris Hegedus
• Song of Lahore (Documentary) — Co-Directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Also available on DVD, VOD, and Digital HD)
• Money Monster — Directed by Jodie Foster
• Love Thy Nature (Documentary) — Written and Directed by Sylvie Rokab
• Ratchet & Clank — Co-Directed by Jericca Cleland
• A Beautiful Planet (Documentary) — Directed by Toni Myers
• Rio, I Love You — Co-Directed by Nadine Labaki; Co-Written by Nadine Labaki and Elena Soarez
• The Invitation — Directed by Karyn Kusama (Also available on VOD)
• Kung Fu Panda 3 — Co-Directed by Jennifer Yuh

Films Written by Women Opening This Week

The President — Co-Written by Marziyeh Meshkiny (Opens in NY)

“The President” tells the story of a dictator (Misha Gomiashvili) who is forced to personally confront the many people tortured by his regime after his government is overthrown. The President and his family rule the land with a draconian fist, enjoying a privileged and luxurious existence at the expense of his miserable and oppressed subjects. After a coup d’état uproots his position of power, the President’s wife and daughters are flown out of the country as he stays behind with his grandson (Dachi Orvelashvili), who is too young to grasp the unfolding events. After his personal escort and bodyguards turn on him, he is forced to disguise himself and flee into the countryside to avoid capture. He soon learns that he is now the country’s most wanted fugitive and begins a perilous journey with his grandson, his only ally. Posing as street musicians, the pair blend in with a band of haggard political prisoners just released from jail as they travel towards the coast to an awaiting ship that will take them to safety. (Press materials)

Films Written by Women Currently Playing

• High-Rise — Written by Amy Jump
• Barbershop: The Next Cut — Co-Written by Tracy Oliver
• Meet the Blacks — Co-Written by Nicole DeMasi
• London Has Fallen — Co-Written by Katrin Benedikt

TV Premieres This Week

Deadly Secrets: The Lost Children of Dozier — Directed by Heidi Burke (Premieres June 3 on Lifetime Movie Network)

It’s a disturbing story that shocked the nation — institutionalized abuse, unmarked graves, and possible murder — in a Florida reform school for boys. Reporter Ben Montgomery discovers hundreds of former students who endured the unimaginable, and Forensic Anthropologist Erin Kimmerle searches for dozens of missing boys, determined to find their remains and bring them home to their families. Piece by piece they unravel one of Florida’s darkest mysteries and uncover the story of a school with a legacy of slavery, racial discrimination, and child abuse for over 100 years. (Press materials)

UnREAL Season 2 — Created by Sarah Gertrude Shapiro and Marti Noxon (Premieres on Lifetime June 6)

A look at the first two episodes of the show’s second season finds creators Marti Noxon and Sarah Gertrude Shapiro homing in on two central issues: race and masculinity — both filtered through the central relationship between Quinn and Rachel. The second season of show-within-a-show, “Everlasting,” is gearing up to start shooting, and the two women — who’ve celebrated their promotions by getting matching “Money. Dick. Power.” tattoos — are congratulating themselves on making history by casting the industry’s first black bachelor. Darius (B.J. Britt) is a football player who, like the first season’s leading man, needs to rehab his image. (Sara Stewart, Women and Hollywood)

Read Women and Hollywood’s review of “UnREAL” Season 2.

Angie Tribeca Season 2 — Co-Created by Nancy Carell (Premieres on TBS June 6)

Lone-wolf detective Angie Tribeca (Rashida Jones) and a squad of committed LAPD detectives investigate the most serious cases, from the murder of a ventriloquist to a rash of baker suicides. (Press materials)

Devious Maids Season 4 (Premieres on Lifetime June 6)

This season, Marisol (Ana Ortiz) finds herself acting as a support system to Evelyn (Rebecca Wisocky) in the wake of a big life change. Meanwhile, Rosie’s (Dania Ramírez) positive and sunny disposition leaves much to be desired by her new boss, Genevieve (Susan Lucci) who is acclimating to a household without Zoila’s (Judy Reyes) honest and acerbic humor. Carmen (Roselyn Sánchez) continues to pursue her singing career until her cousin Daniela (Sol Rodriguez) comes to town and shakes things up. Marisol also finds herself in a new relationship, which eventually becomes a complicated triangle when her old flame Jesse (Nathan Owens) reappears. (Press materials)

Ladylike (Premieres on MTV June 9)

Your mother would define the term “ladylike” as the traditional way refined women behave. But on this weekly half-hour hidden camera prank show, our group of pranksters will poke holes in that definition as they show the world how they think a lady should act. “Ladylike” takes the attitude and subject matter of “Girl Code” and steps out of the studio and onto the street where the cast will prank their friends and the unsuspecting public. Along the way they may even break down some social barriers and have fun the way only a real lady can! (Press materials)

VOD/DVD Releasing This Week

T-Rex (VOD, Available Now)
To Life (À La Vie) — Co-Written by Odile Barski (DVD, June 7)
The Other Side of the Door (DVD, June 7)
The Abandoned (DVD, June 7)
One More Time (DVD, June 7)
No Home Movie (Documentary) — Directed by Chantal Akerman (DVD, June 7)