Due to the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent restrictions, Women and Hollywood is shifting its focus to online content. We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.
(Please keep in mind that these dates are subject to change.)
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN COMING TO STREAMING/VOD
How to Build a Girl – Directed by Coky Giedroyc; Written by Caitlin Moran
Beanie Feldstein is a special performer. She grabbed at us as Julie, Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson’s best friend, and then shined alongside Kaitlyn Dever in the terrific “Booksmart.” In “How to Build a Girl,” based on Caitlin Moran’s semi-autobiographical best-selling novel, Feldstein finally gets center stage all to herself. The coming-of-age pic sees Feldstein playing Johanna Morrigan, a girl with a ton of creativity and dreams stuck in an overwhelmed, under resourced family in Wolverhampton, UK. She gets the opportunity to be a music reviewer and creates a whole new persona – Dolly Wilde. More than a little sharp around the edges, Dolly pushes people around and uses her power to cut folks down, not raise them up. What Johanna eventually discovers is that Dolly might not be the girl of her dreams. Feldstein is a joy to watch as she takes us on this journey, and reminds us that we have the ability to make choices and if those choices don’t work, we can change paths to try and discover our true selves. (Melissa Silverstein)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Coky Giedroyc.
“How to Build a Girl” is now available for rent on VOD platforms including Apple TV and Amazon. Find more viewing info here.
Clementine – Written and Directed by Lara Jean Gallagher
“Clementine”
Reeling from a one-sided breakup, anguished Karen (Otmara Marrero) flees Los Angeles for her ex’s idyllic lake house in the Pacific Northwest. There, she becomes entangled with a mysterious, alluring younger woman (Sydney Sweeney), whom she cannot seem to resist. Equal parts psychological thriller and sexual coming-of-age story, “Clementine” is a tense rumination on whom to love and how to let go.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Lara Jean Gallagher.
“Clementine” is now screening via virtual cinemas.
Valley Girl – Directed by Rachel Lee Goldenberg; Written by Amy Talkington
“Valley Girl”
Julie (Jessica Rothe) is the ultimate ’80s Valley Girl. A creative free spirit, Julie’s time is spent with her best friends shopping at the Galleria mall and making plans for senior prom. That is, until she falls hard for Randy (Joshua Whitehouse), a Sunset Strip punk rocker, who challenges everything the Valley and Julie stand for. Despite push-back from friends and family, Julie must break out of the safety of her world to follow her heart and discover what it really means to be a Valley Girl. Based on the classic 1983 hit film.
“Valley Girl” is now available for rent or purchase on VOD platforms including Apple TV and Amazon.
Yeva – Written and Directed by Anahid Abad
“Yeva”
“Yeva” is the story of a young woman who flees from Armenia to a remote village in Nagorno Karabakh after being framed for her husband’s death. Set after the war, her story highlights the challenges of living in a post-conflict society.
“Yeva” is now available for rent on Vimeo.
Mother’s Little Helpers – Written and Directed by Kestrin Pantera
“Mother’s Little Helpers”
When Joy Pride (Melanie Hutsell), a groovy ’70s burn-out on the caboose of the flower power movement, learns she has weeks to live, her estranged children come together to do right by a mother who always did them wrong. “Mother’s Little Helpers” is a funny dysfunctional-family drama, based on true events and inspired by true lies, about how family ties can twist and tear you — and though they may not break you, they might send you to prison.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Kestrin Pantera.
“Mother’s Little Helpers” is now available for rent or purchase on VOD platforms including Apple TV and Amazon.
CRSHD – Written and Directed by Emily Cohn
This inventive, female-driven sex comedy follows college freshman Izzy Alden (Isabelle Barbier) and her two best friends, Anuka (Deeksha Ketkar), and Fiona (Sadie Scott), as they embark on a journey to get Izzy to a “crush party” so she can lose her virginity before the end of the semester. “CRSHD” tells a hilarious, unique story about navigating the messy ups and downs of life and love in the age of social media.
“CRSHD” is now screening via virtual cinemas.
Sweetness in the Belly – Written by Laura Phillips
“Sweetness in the Belly”
An orphan in Ethiopia (Dakota Fanning) escapes as a refugee to England, whereupon growing up, she works to aid fellow immigrants and refugees in reuniting with their families.
“Sweetness in the Belly” is now available for rent or purchase on VOD platforms including Apple TV and Amazon.
On a Magical Night
In this playful film, we meet Maria (Chiara Mastroianni), a woman dissatisfied with her marriage who, after a heated argument with her husband of 20 years, spends the night in room 212 of the hotel across the street from their home. There, she has a bird’s eye view of her apartment, her husband, and her marriage. In this comic romp, she confronts her past lovers and relationships on one magical night, fantasizing about the lives she could’ve lived and wondering if she’s made the right decisions.
“On a Magical Night” is now screening via virtual cinemas.
Hope Gap
The intimate, intense, and loving story of “Hope Gap” charts the life of Grace (Annette Bening), who is shocked to learn her husband (Bill Nighy) is leaving her after 29 years of marriage, and the ensuing emotional fallout the dissolution has on their only grown son (Josh O’Connor). Unraveled and feeling displaced in her small seaside town, Grace ultimately regains her footing, and discovers a new, powerful voice.
“Hope Gap” is now available for rent on VOD platforms including Apple TV.
More Beautiful For Having Been Broken – Written and Directed by Nicole Conn
Devoted FBI Agent McKenzie “Max” De Ridder (Zoe Ventoura) has recently lost her mother, who was her very best friend and greatest champion. In the wake of grief, McKenzie’s behavior has become erratic and she soon finds herself suspended. McKenzie, frenzied, drinking, and lost, escapes to the small town she used to visit on “Star Adventures” with her late mother. Soon after she arrives she meets Freddie (Cale Ferrin), a young special needs boy with Fanconi Anemia. Freddie’s savant-like wisdom and perseverance penetrate McKenzie’s gruff walls of despair and pain. She is taken by how unaffected he is by the reality of his condition. McKenzie forms an undeniable bond with Freddie and a testy, then loving relationship with his mother. The small town tangled relationships and mother-daughter dynamics reveal themselves, as each woman traverses the intricate minefields of love, pain, and anguish.
“More Beautiful For Having Been Broken” is now available for rent or purchase on VOD platforms including Apple TV and Amazon.
A Good Woman Is Hard to Find
Sarah (Sarah Bolger) is a recently widowed young mother. Her son has been an elective mute since the day he witnessed his father being knifed to death on their estate. Police have done nothing to catch the killer, categorizing his death as a falling out amongst thieves. Then Tito (Andrew Simpson) literally bursts into Sarah’s world. He’s ripped off drug dealers and decides to stash the stolen drugs in her flat. Frightened senseless, Sarah wants nothing to do with this but caught between a rock and a hard place, she sees an opportunity to use Tito to gain information about what might have happened to her husband with the hope of eventually returning to some semblance of a normal life.
“A Good Woman Is Hard to Find” is now available for rent or purchase on VOD platforms including Apple TV and Amazon.
18 Presents
A pregnant mother with terminal cancer (Vittoria Puccini) leaves behind 18 sentimental gifts for her unborn daughter to receive every birthday until she reaches womanhood.
“18 Presents” is now streaming on Netflix.
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON STREAMING/VOD
“The Half of It”
The Half of It – Written and Directed by Alice Wu (Netflix)
South Mountain – Written and Directed by Hilary Brougher (VOD)
Tammy’s Always Dying – Directed by Amy Jo Johnson; Written by Joanne Sarazen (VOD)
Becoming (Documentary) – Directed by Nadia Hallgren (Netflix)
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (VOD, Disney+)
Saint Frances – Written by Kelly O’Sullivan (VOD)
Better Days – Written by Wing-Sum Lam, Yuan Li, and Yimeng Xu (VOD)
Mrs. Serial Killer (Netflix)
Thousand Pieces of Gold (Restoration) – Directed by Nancy Kelly; Written by Anne Makepeace (Kino Marquee)
To the Stars – Directed by Martha Stephens; Written by Shannon Bradley-Colleary (VOD)
The Assistant – Written and Directed by Kitty Green (VOD)
The Photograph – Written and Directed by Stella Meghie (VOD)
A Secret Love (Documentary) – Written by Alexa L. Fogel, Chris Bolan, and Brendan Mason (Netflix)
Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story (Documentary) (Netflix)
Bit (VOD)
Selah and The Spades – Written and Directed by Tayarisha Poe (Amazon Prime)
Beyond the Visible – Hilma af Klint (Documentary) – Directed by Halina Dyrschka (Kino Marquee)
Endings, Beginnings – Written by Jardine Libaire and Drake Doremus (VOD)
The Turning – Directed by Floria Sigismondi (VOD)
Extra Ordinary – Written by Maeve Higgins, Mike Ahern, Enda Loughman, and Demian Fox (VOD)
What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael (Documentary) (Film Forum)
Beanpole (VOD, Film Forum)
Sea Fever – Written and Directed by Neasa Hardiman (VOD)
Stray Dolls – Directed by Sonejuhi Sinha; Written by Sonejuhi Sinha and Charlotte Rabate (VOD)
Fleabag Live (Taped Theater Production) – Directed by Vicky Jones; Written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Amazon Prime, Soho Theatre On Demand)
Tape – Written and Directed by Deborah Kampmeier (VOD)
The Rhythm Section – Directed by Reed Morano (VOD)
Misbehaviour – Directed by Philippa Lowthorpe; Written by Rebecca Frayn and Gaby Chiappe (UK) (VOD)
The Other Lamb – Directed by Malgorzata Szumowska; Written by Catherine S. McMullen (VOD)
Never Rarely Sometimes Always – Written and Directed by Eliza Hittman (VOD)
Little Women – Written and Directed by Greta Gerwig (VOD)
Invisible Life – Written by Inés Bortagaray, Karim Aïnouz, and Murilo Hauser (Amazon Prime)
Portrait of a Lady on Fire – Written and Directed by Céline Sciamma (Hulu)
The Perfect Candidate – Directed by Haifaa Al-Mansour; Written by Haifaa Al-Mansour and Brad Niemann (UK) (VOD)
Blow The Man Down – Written and Directed by Danielle Krudy and Bridget Savage Cole (Amazon Prime)
Emma. – Directed by Autumn de Wilde; Written by Eleanor Catton (VOD)
Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) – Directed by Cathy Yan; Written by Christina Hodson (VOD)
Clemency – Written and Directed by Chinonye Chukwu (VOD)
The Invisible Man (VOD)
The Hunt (VOD)
Swallow (VOD)
FILMS MADE BY WOMEN COMING TO STREAMING/VOD
The Color of Medicine: The Story of Homer G. Phillips Hospital (Documentary) – Directed by Joyce Marie Fitzpatrick and Brian Shackelford
“The Color of Medicine: The Story of Homer G. Phillips Hospital” captures the long, important battle that African-Americans have fought to receive quality medical treatment and training. The film not only tells the astonishing history of the first all-black hospital in St. Louis but also recognizes and celebrates the achievements of the brave healthcare workers who were among the first black physicians and nurses to be medically trained in the United States.
“The Color of Medicine” will be available on VOD platforms May 12.
Graves Without a Name (Documentary) – Written by Agnès Sénémaud and Rithy Panh
In Rithy Panh’s latest exploration of the lasting effects of the Cambodian genocide, a 13-year-old boy who loses most of his family begins a search for their graves.
“Graves Without a Name” will be available on VOD platforms May 12.
The Traitor – Written by Valia Santella, Ludovica Rampoldi, Marco Bellocchio, and Francesco Piccolo
“The Traitor”
“The Traitor” tells the true story of Tommaso Buscetta (Pierfrancesco Favino), the man who brought down the Cosa Nostra. In the early 1980s, an all out war rages between Sicilian Mafia bosses over the heroin trade. Tommaso Buscetta, a made man, flees to hide out in Brazil. Back home, scores are being settled and Buscetta watches from afar as his sons and brother are killed in Palermo, knowing he may be next. Arrested and extradited to Italy by the Brazilian police, Buscetta makes a decision that will change everything for the Mafia: he decides to meet with Judge Giovanni Falcone and betray the eternal vow he made to the Cosa Nostra.
“The Traitor” will be available on VOD platforms May 12.
Fantasy Island – Written by Jillian Jacobs, Jeff Wadlow, and Christopher Roach
In Blumhouse’s new spin on “Fantasy Island,” the enigmatic Mr. Roarke (Michael Peña) makes the secret dreams of his lucky guests come true at a luxurious but remote tropical resort. But when the fantasies turn into nightmares, the guests have to solve the island’s mystery in order to escape with their lives.
“Fantasy Island” is now available for purchase on VOD platforms including Apple TV and Amazon. It will be available for rent May 12. Find more viewing info here.
The Legion – Written by Carmen Ballesteros, Pedro Santamaría, Alberto Vázquez Figueroa, and C.J. Wells
During the invasion of Parthia, two Roman legions (Mickey Rourke, Bai Ling) have been brought to a standstill in the snowy mountains of Armenia, leaving them slowly dying in the freezing cold. The rest of the Roman army is a two weeks’ march away, and the region swarms with Parthian patrols. Their only hope for survival is Noreno (Lee Partridge), a half-Roman soldier, who is entrusted with the impossible mission of crossing the deadly terrain to seek help for his men and turn the tide of the battle.
“The Legion” is now available for rent or purchase on VOD platforms including Apple TV and Amazon.
FILMS MADE BY WOMEN CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ON STREAMING/VOD
“Ordinary Love”
Bull – Directed by Annie Silverstein; Written by Annie Silverstein and Johnny McAllister (VOD)
The Infiltrators (Documentary) – Directed by Cristina Ibarra and Alex Rivera (Virtual Cinemas)
Ordinary Love – Directed by Lisa Barros D’Sa and Glenn Leyburn (VOD)
The Flood – Written by Helen Kingston (VOD)
Pahokee (Documentary) – Directed by Ivete Lucas and Patrick Bresnan (Virtual Cinemas)
Circus of Books (Documentary) – Directed by Rachel Mason (Netflix)
Pot Luck (Documentary) – Written and Directed by Jane Wells (VOD)
Abe – Written by Lameece Isaaq and Jacob Kader (VOD)
Other Music (Documentary) – Directed by Puloma Basu and Rob Hatch-Miller (Virtual Cinemas)
L’Innocente (Re-Release) – Written by Suso Cecchi D’Amico, Luchino Visconti, and Enrico Medioli (Film Forum)
The American Nurse (Documentary) (Streaming Re-Release) – Directed by Carolyn Jones (Kino Lorber)
Bias (Documentary) – Directed by Robin Hauser (VOD)
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (Documentary) – Directed by Nicole Newnham and James Lebrecht (Netflix)
TV PREMIERES
Valeria – Created by María López Castaño (Premieres May 8 on Netflix)
A writer in creative and marital crises (Diana Gómez) finds support from three friends (Paula Malia, Silma López, and Teresa Riott) who are also discovering themselves. Based on the novels by Elísabet Benavent.
Into the Dark: Delivered (TV Movie) – Directed by Emma Tammi (Premieres May 8 on Hulu)
“Into the Dark: Delivered”
In the series’ Mother’s Day installment, a pregnant woman’s life is upended when she realizes someone close to her has darker plans for her and the baby.
Stella & Co: A Romantic Musical Comedy Documentary About Aging – Directed by Robin Baker Leacock (Premieres May 10 on PBS)
Inspired by director Robin Baker Leacock’s late 103-year-old mother, Estelle “Stella” Craig, who lived at an independent living senior residence in Florida, the documentary explores the lives of eight individuals living in the same residence, ranging in age from late 70s to early 100s. The film provides an introspective, conversational, and nostalgic look at the lives of seniors, showcasing how they should be considered front and center in our world.
Call Your Mother (Documentary) – Directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (Premieres May 10 on Comedy Central)
“Call Your Mother”
In this documentary, stand-up comics Kristen Schaal, Bridget Everett, Fortune Feimster, Awkwafina, Rachel Feinstein, Judy Gold, Tig Notaro, Yvonne Orji, and many others celebrate the women who raised them and made them funny.
Amy Schumer Learns to Cook (Premieres May 11 on Food Network)
Stand-up comedian Amy Schumer and her husband, award-winning chef Chris Fischer, have quarantined themselves, their son, his nanny Jane, and their dog at their home in the woods as they share a behind-the-scenes look at their lives in the new Food Network series.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend (Interactive Special) – Directed by Claire Scanlon; Written by Tina Fey, Meredith Scardino, Robert Carlock, and Sam Means (Premieres May 12 on Netflix)
“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend”: Netflix
Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper) sets off on her biggest adventure yet. Three states! Explosions! A dancing hamburger! And you, the viewer, get to decide how the story goes. Will you defeat the Reverend (Jon Hamm) and get Kimmy to her wedding on time? Or will you accidentally start a war against the robots?
THE GIRLS CLUB IS OFFERING THE FIRST MONTH FREE
Founded by Women and Hollywood publisher and founder Melissa Silverstein, the Girls Club is a community for women creatives, culture-changers, and storytellers to connect, create, network, advocate, support, and redefine entertainment.
These are trying times. We realize that COVID-19 is affecting the health, safety, and livelihood of many folks in the industry, and want to offer a space for folks to come together amidst all of the uncertainty. With that goal in mind, the Girls Club is offering the first month free to those who sign up.
If you identify as a woman and would like an invitation to this community, please email girlsclubnetwork@gmail.com and let us know a bit about who you are and what you do.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BLOG
Torres’ “Tres Fridas”
Apply Now: Women and Hollywood Editorial Fellowship
Reveca Torres and Colette Ghunim Selected for Inaugural Hulu/Kartemquin Accelerator Program
Apply Now: Field of Vision and Topic Studios’ Documentary Freelancer Relief Fund
The Road to Romance: Crowdfunding Picks
New Prod Company Focusing on Young Queer Women Launches, Options “Amelia Westlake Was Never Here”
Unconventional Self-Discovery: VOD and Web Series Picks
Female Voices Rock Is Presenting a Virtual Conference With Industry Creatives and Execs
Submit Now: Athena Film Festival’s Virtual Writers Lab
Note: All descriptions are from press materials, unless otherwise noted.
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