FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING
Harriet – Directed by Kasi Lemmons; Written by Kasi Lemmons and Gregory Allen Howard
I seriously can’t believe that it has taken this long to tell the story of this true American hero, Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery and then went back to liberate others. Cynthia Erivo embodies Tubman in Kasi Lemmons’ biopic. Freeing slaves is a calling for Harriet. She made it out and she will help the rest of her family be free. She is hunted, but she keeps going. “Harriet” makes no bones about it: slavery is the foundation of America and we as citizens must keep reckoning with it each and every day. Not only is the biopic the “first theatrical film” about Tubman, it chronicles how one courageous woman refused to be marginalized and changed the course of history. Too often women — particularly women of color — are erased from history. Films like “Harriet” help us remember that white men are not the only ones with stories worth telling. (Melissa Silverstein)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Kasi Lemmons.
Find screening info here.
Terminator: Dark Fate
“Terminator: Dark Fate”
I’m not a person who particularly enjoys movies about people shooting each other. But I minded “Terminator: Dark Fate” less because it’s pretty much the women who are kicking ass and saving the planet. Linda Hamilton, who escaped Hollywood, is back as Sarah Connor. She spends her days tracking Terminators and eliminating them. She’s got a bit of a god complex, but she’s also got a handheld missile shooter, so that tracks. Mackenzie Davis plays an enhanced human sent from the future to protect Dani Ramos (Natalia Reyes), who is key to the future of humanity. The fact that humanity must be saved by women in “Dark Fate” is very satisfying. Just know that there is a lot of violence, but if you can take that, the payoff — which I won’t spoil — is worth it. (MS)
Find screening info here.
Light From Light (Opens in NY; Opens in LA November 8)
Gifted with sometimes-prophetic dreams and a lifelong interest in the paranormal, Shelia (Marin Ireland) is asked to investigate a potential haunting at a Tennessee farmhouse. It’s there she meets Richard (Jim Gaffigan), a recent widower who believes his wife may still be with him. The investigation that ensues — which eventually pulls in Shelia’s son, Owen (Josh Wiggins) and his classmate Lucy (Atheena Frizzell) — forces them to confront the mysteries of their own lives.
Find screening info here.
Earthquake Bird (Available on Netflix November 15)
“Earthquake Bird”: Netflix
A psychologically unsettling and atmospheric thriller set in 1989 Tokyo, “Earthquake Bird” follows Lucy Fly (Alicia Vikander), an enigmatic ex-pat haunted by a painful past, who enters into an intense relationship with Teiji (Naoki Kobayashi), a handsome yet similarly troubled local photographer. Lucy’s imperturbable exterior begins to crack when a naive newcomer, Lily Bridges (Riley Keough), becomes entangled in their lives and ends up missing — suspected dead.
American Son (Available on Netflix)
“American Son”: Netflix
Based on the acclaimed Broadway play, “American Son” tells the story of Kendra Ellis-Connor (Kerry Washington), the mother of a missing teenage boy, as she struggles to put the pieces together in a South Florida police station. Steven Pasquale, Jeremy Jordan, and Eugene Lee also reprise their roles in the adaptation which presents four distinct viewpoints, while also navigating the unique dynamic of an interracial couple trying to raise a mixed-race son.
Crepitus – Written by Sarah Renner, Eddie Renner, and Haynze Whitmore (Available on VOD November 12)
Seventeen-year-old Elizabeth and her younger sister, Sam, are thrust into circumstances more terrifying than living with their abusive, alcoholic mother when they are forced to move into their deceased grandfather’s house. Frightened beyond belief, they begin to learn horrible things about their family history. Nevermind the ghosts in the house, there is something far worse that takes an interest in the girls — a cannibalistic clown named Crepitus.
Holiday in the Wild – Written by Tippi Dobrofsky and Neal H. Dobrofsky (Available on Netflix)
To keep her spirits high when their son leaves for college, Manhattanite Kate Conrad (Kristin Davis) has booked a “second honeymoon” with her husband. Instead of thanking her, he brings their relationship to a sudden end; jilted Kate proceeds to Africa for a solo safari. During a detour through Zambia, she helps her pilot, Derek Holliston (Rob Lowe), rescue an orphaned baby elephant. They nurse him back to health at a local elephant sanctuary, and Kate extends her stay through Christmastime. Far from the modern luxuries of home, Kate thrives amidst majestic animals and scenery. Her love for the new surroundings just might extend to the man who shared her journey.
Bloody Marie (Available on VOD November 11)
Marie Wankelmut (Susanne Wolff), once successful comic artist, lives among the prostitutes in Amsterdam’s Red Light District. Nowadays drunken and bold, she gets into one conflict after another. A gruesome sobering event at her neighbors forces her to take action.
FILMS MADE BY WOMEN OPENING
The Portal (Documentary) – Directed by Jacqui Fifer; Written by Jacqui Fifer and Tom Cronin (Opens in LA)
“The Portal”
Created as part of an epic global vision to usher humanity into a new era, “The Portal” is an immersive, cinematic experience that answers the question: How can we really change the world? A genre-defining approach to personal change — with global implications — “The Portal” follows six people, and a robot, who transform their lives using stillness and mindfulness, providing inspiration as we embark on the next phase of evolution. Supported by insights from three of the world’s foremost futurists, this experiential project takes the viewer on their own mindfulness journey through a tapestry of technology, love, existentialism, human potential, brain hacking, stillness, and inner peace.
Find screening info here.
The Etruscan Smile – Directed by Mihal Brezis and Oded Binnun; Written by Sarah Bellwood, Michal Lali Kagan, and Michael McGowan
Rory MacNeil (Brian Cox), a rugged old Scotsman, reluctantly leaves his beloved isolated Hebridean island and travels to San Francisco to seek medical treatment. Moving in with his estranged son, Rory’s life will be transformed, just when he expects it least, through a newly found love for his baby grandson.
TV PREMIERES
The Morning Show (Premieres November 1 on Apple TV+)
“The Morning Show”: Apple
Set in the world of daytime TV, the drama kicks off with a crisis — Mitch Kessler (Steve Carell), beloved co-host of “The Morning Show,” has been accused of sexual misconduct, leaving viewers and the network reeling. His “work wife” and co-host, Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston), feels personally betrayed — Mitch has abandoned her, jeopardizing the future of the show and her place within it. She knows that chemistry is integral to “The Morning Show’s” success, and with her contract negotiations still underway, Alex senses that she’s in a precarious position — though she’s about to discover that it’s far more uncertain than she believes. We’re introduced to Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon) as she hears the news about Mitch’s firing. As far as she’s concerned, the predator is just another example of a phony media personality who cheapens the news. The Southern journalist finds herself in the spotlight after footage of her ranting at a coal protest goes viral. Now a national news story, Bradley is invited to “The Morning Show” to speak about the clip. She makes a major impression on a network bigwig, and her life is forever changed. (Laura Berger)
Dickinson – Created by Alena Smith (Premieres November 1 on Apple TV+)
“Dickinson”
“Dickinson” is a half-hour comedy series starring Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld. It audaciously explores the constraints of society, gender, and family from the perspective of rebellious young poet Emily Dickinson.
Celeste Barber: Challenge Accepted (Comedy Special) – Written by Celeste Barber (Premieres November 1 on Showtime)
Actor, comedian, and social media superstar Celeste Barber is the self-proclaimed queen of everyday sophistication and low budget lifestyle aspirations. Her meteoric rise on Instagram, parodying celebrity photographs, has resulted in her taking meetings with top moguls and awkwardly becoming friends with the very people she is parodying. In this exciting live show experience, Celeste explains the story behind some of her most famous images, her new relationship with famous people, the trolls, fans, and comments that get under her skin.
Oprah’s Book Club (Talk Show) (Premieres November 1 on Apple TV+)
“Oprah’s Book Club” will connect a community of readers worldwide to stories that truly matter by today’s most thought-provoking authors. Oprah Winfrey will partner with Apple to build a vibrant, global book club that has the power to both transport and transform people — turning every book into an opportunity for self-discovery, and bringing the world together through reading. Winfrey’s first book selection is “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Hache – Created by Verónica Fernández (Premieres November 1 on Netflix)
Inspired by real events, “Hache” is the story of Helena (Adriana Ugarte), a woman catapulted to the heroin trafficking business in the Barcelona of the ‘60s.
His Dark Materials (Premieres November 4 on HBO)
“His Dark Materials”
Based on author Philip Pullman’s beloved trilogy, “His Dark Materials” follows Lyra (Dafne Keen), a brave young woman from another world. Lyra’s quest to find her kidnapped friend leads her to uncover a sinister plot of a secret organization, encounter extraordinary beings, and protect dangerous secrets.
The Candidates (Documentary) – Directed by Alexandra Stergiou and Lexi Henigman (Premieres November 5 on Fuse TV)
“The Candidates”
“The Candidates” follows a diverse New York City high school staging a mock election in 2016 modeled after the U.S. electoral process.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Alexandra Stergiou and Lexi Henigman.
The Little Mermaid Live! (Musical Special) (Premieres November 5 on ABC)
To honor the 30th anniversary of one of the most beloved Disney films of all time, “The Wonderful World of Disney” and ABC are proud to present a spectacular, live musical event showcasing “The Little Mermaid.” The classic film will be reimagined for a live studio audience. Auli’i Cravalho, Queen Latifah, and Shaggy will star.
The Apollo (Documentary) – Written by Cassidy Hartman, Jean Tsien, and Roger Ross Williams (Premieres November 6 on HBO)
“The Apollo” chronicles the unique history and contemporary legacy of the New York City landmark, the Apollo Theater. The documentary weaves together archival footage, music, comedy, and dance performances, and behind-the-scenes verité with the team that makes the theater run. “The Apollo” features interviews with artists including Patti LaBelle, Pharrell Williams, Smokey Robinson, and Jamie Foxx.
VOD/STREAMING RELEASES
“Dora and the Lost City of Gold”
The Elephant Queen (Documentary) – Directed by Victoria Stone and Mark Deeble (Apple TV+, November 1)
Dora and the Lost City of Gold (VOD, November 5)
The Kitchen – Written and Directed by Andrea Berloff (VOD, November 5)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BLOG
“Scattered Night”: LKFF
Quote of the Day: Nell Scovell Calls for “More Dialogue” in the #MeToo Movement
November 2019 Film Preview
Under the Radar: “Scattered Night” Delicately Handles Divorce from the Adolescent Perspective
Quote of the Day: Mati Diop Hopes Making History with “Atlantics” Inspires Others
British Independent Film Award Nominations: “The Souvenir,” “For Sama,” & More
AFI Fest Announces 2019 Lineup, Features 51 Percent Women-Directed Films
Joaquina Kalukango Discusses “Slave Play,” Its Refusal to Offer Easy Answers
Lina Wertmüller and Geena Davis Call for Change at the 2019 Governors Awards
IDFA 2019 Lineup Marks Highest Percentage of Women Directors in Fest’s History
Writers to Watch: Bo Yeon Kim and Erika Lippoldt, Rising Stars of “Star Trek”
Note: All descriptions are from press materials, unless otherwise noted.
Follow Women and Hollywood on Twitter @WomenaHollywood and Melissa Silverstein @melsil.
To contact Women and Hollywood, email melissa@womenandhollywood.com.
