FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING AND COMING TO STREAMING/VOD
Run
Mommie Dearest does her best impression of Marmee in “Run.” Picture-perfect, warm, and loving on the surface, Diane (Sarah Paulson) is a mom whose true nature is gradually revealed in the psychological thriller. Seventeen-year-old Chloe (Kiera Allen), a wheelchair user, is very reliant on her mom, and is hoping to leave home for college. She’s convinced that she can do more for herself and tries to set boundaries for her overprotective mom, but Diane is quick to end the discussion. As Chloe makes shocking and terrifying discoveries about her mom’s behavior and past, it becomes clear that it’s Diane who needs her. “Run” is a wild romp, but it’s also culturally important. According to Variety, it marks “the first major thriller to star a wheelchair user since 1948’s ‘The Sign of the Ram.'” Allen, in her first leading role in a movie, brings even more dimension to Chloe than what’s on the page. She should be cast in more projects, stat. (Laura Berger)
“Run” is now available on Hulu.
Markie in Milwaukee (Documentary)
“Markie in Milwaukee”
Fundamentalist Baptist minister Mark Wenzel decides at age 46 to come out as a transgender woman named Markie. It’s a decision that ends her 20-year marriage and estranges her three children. It also sees her dismissed from her beloved church and exiled to the margins of her community. Markie works to build a new life, finding a job as TSA security agent and saving her paychecks for sexual reassignment surgery. But over the course of the following decade, she begins to question her path.
“Markie in Milwaukee” is now available via virtual cinemas.
Noemí Gold
“Noemí Gold”
After experiencing what she believes to be an allergic reaction to Misoprostol — commonly known as the abortion pill — Noemí Goldberg (Catalina Berarducci) seeks out the help of a gynecologist, who promptly reports her to the police. To Noemí’s relief, she is not charged with any crime — attempted abortion is not a prosecutable offense in Argentina — and to her dismay, she’s still pregnant. This news coincides with the arrival of Noemí’s estranged cousin from Los Angeles, a social media influencer with millions of followers and dubious talent. With little support from her scatter-brained roommate and self-involved circle of friends, Noemí has only herself to rely on while navigating her present straits.
“Noemí Gold” is now available on Topic.
Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square – Directed by Debbie Allen; Written by Maria S. Schlatter
“Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square”
A rich and nasty woman, Regina Fuller (Christine Baranski), returns to her small hometown after her father’s death to evict everyone and sell the land to a mall developer — right before Christmas. However, after listening to stories of the local townsfolk, reconnecting with an old love, and accepting the guidance of an actual angel, Regina starts to have a change of heart. This is the story about family, love, and how a small town’s Christmas spirit can warm even the coldest of hearts.
“Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square” will be available on Netflix November 22.
Mags & Julie Go on a Road Trip – Written and Directed by Ryann Liebl
“Mags and Julie Go on a Road Trip”
Two best friends (Ryann Liebl and Elisabeth Donaldson) go on a road trip and get more than they bargained for — “Mags & Julie Go on a Road Trip” is a comedy about friendship, life, and finding your way.
“Mags & Julie Go on a Road Trip” will be available on VOD November 24.
She Is the Ocean (Documentary) – Written and Directed by Inna Blokhina
A woman is like the ocean: a true force of nature. “She Is the Ocean” follows nine extraordinary women, scattered across all corners of the globe. But they are united by the same sea, and their love for these waters is matched only by their dedication to preserve and protect them. A journey of both natural beauty and human empathy, “She Is the Ocean” is the story of powerful women with depths unknown.
“She Is the Ocean” is now in theaters and virtual cinemas. It will be available on VOD November 24.
Notes for My Son
When María “Marie” Vázquez finds out she has a terminal disease, she decides to face her fate the only way she knows how: with emotion and a sarcastic humor that defines her. She spends most of her time writing a book for her four-year-old son, Tomy, with the idea that his mother’s image will stay with him forever. María also shares her experience through social media, with her unique style, and her life story becomes really popular. Her last days are full of mixed feelings as she is joined by her lovely husband, Federico, and her closest friends to celebrate her life.
“Notes for My Son” will be available on Netflix November 24.
Always and Forever
Nicole (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) seems to have it all — a great job, an adoring husband — but her perfect world is shattered when her childhood friend is suddenly found dead. The tragedy reunites Nicole with her best friends from years ago, but they each soon find themselves in danger, targets of a deranged stalker. Nicole knows this can’t be a coincidence. The secrets of their past are coming back to haunt them and this deadly nightmare is just beginning for the girls who long ago pledged their loyalty “always and forever.”
“Always and Forever” is now available on VOD.
Girl
A young woman (Bella Thorne) encounters a sinister sheriff while searching for clues about her abusive father’s murder.
“Girl” will be available on VOD November 24.
FILMS MADE BY WOMEN OPENING AND COMING TO STREAMING/VOD
The Black Book of Father Dinis – Directed by Valeria Sarmiento
“The Black Book of Father Dinis”: Alfama Films
“The Black Book of Father Dinis” explores the tumultuous lives of Laura (Lou de Laâge), a peasant maid, and Sebastian (Vasco Varela da Silva), the young orphan in her charge, against a backdrop of overflowing passion and revolutionary intrigue in Europe at the twilight of the 18th century. An unlikely adventure yarn that strides the continent, from Rome and Venice to London and Paris, with whispers of conspiracies from the clergy, the military, and the gentry, this sumptuous period piece ponders the intertwined nature of fate, desire, and duty.
“The Black Book of Father Dinis” is now available via virtual cinemas. Find screening info here.
Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams (Documentary) – Directed by Ema Ryan Yamazaki
“Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams”
Baseball is life for the die-hard competitors in the 100th annual Koshien, Japan’s wildly popular national high school baseball championship, whose alumni include U.S. baseball star Shohei Ohtani and former Yankee Hideki Matsui. But for Coach Mizutani and his players, cleaning the grounds and greeting their guests are equally important as honing their baseball skills. In director Ema Ryan Yamazaki’s dramatic and intimate journey to the heart of the Japanese national character, will those acts add up to victory or prove a relic of the past?
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Ema Ryan Yamazaki.
“Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams” is now available via virtual cinemas. Find screening info here.
Collective (Documentary) – Written by Antoaneta Opris and Alexander Nanau
In 2015, a fire at Bucharest’s Colectiv club leaves 27 dead and 180 injured. Soon, more burn victims begin dying in hospitals from wounds that were not life-threatening. Then a doctor blows the whistle to a team of investigative journalists. One revelation leads to another as the journalists start to uncover vast health care fraud. When a new health minister is appointed, he offers unprecedented access to his efforts to reform the corrupt system but also to the obstacles he faces. Following journalists, whistle-blowers, burn victims, and government officials, “Collective” is an uncompromising look at the impact of investigative journalism at its best.
“Collective” is now in theaters, and available on VOD and via virtual cinemas. Find screening info here.
Getting to Know You – Written and Directed by Joan Carr-Wiggin
“Getting to Know You”
Another guest at the small town hotel where Abby Sorensen (Natasha Little) is staying asks her to pretend to be his wife. Just for a few minutes. He flew from New York to reignite the flame with his old high school girlfriend — the beautiful, impetuous Kayla (Rachel Blanchard) — only to discover she’s now married with two kids. But Kayla decides she wants him after all, and has shown up at the hotel drunk and demanding sex. But Luke (Rupert Penry-Jones) isn’t a homewrecker, so if Abby, a married woman in town for her estranged brother’s funeral, could just say she’s his wife the problem will be solved. What could go wrong? It’s not like two strangers pretending to be husband and wife could possibly fall in love.
“Getting to Know You” will be available on VOD November 24.
The Walrus and the Whistleblower (Documentary) – Written and Directed by Nathalie Bibeau
“The Walrus and the Whisleblower”: Joseph Michel Gratton
Part-time mailman and ex-trainer at MarineLand, the iconic amusement park in Niagara Falls, Phil Demers is known as the Walrus Whisperer on Twitter, with over 27,000 followers. At the heart of the movement to end marine mammal captivity, he has appeared on Joe Rogan’s show four times, testified before the federal government, and is being sued for $1.5 million for plotting to steal a walrus. His is a story about the cost and courage of speaking out when you have nothing to lose.
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Nathalie Bibeau.
“The Walrus and the Whistleblower” will be available on VOD November 24.
Hearts and Bones – Written by Beatrix Christian and Ben Lawrence
A war photographer (Hugo Weaving) has just returned home to prepare for his latest exhibition when a South Sudanese refugee (Andrew Luri) appears at his door with a request — that he not exhibit any photographs of the massacre of his village, taken 15 years earlier.
“Hearts and Bones” is now available on VOD.
TV AND EPISODIC PREMIERES
20/20: Say Her Name: Breonna Taylor (News Special) (Premieres November 20 on ABC)
Eight months after the killing of Breonna Taylor, ABC News is looking to shed new light on the intensely scrutinized case. ABC News has teamed with the Louisville Courier Journal for a special episode of “20/20” investigating the night of Taylor’s death, with rare footage, previously unheard details, and new interviews guiding a deep dive into the case. (Entertainment Weekly)
Between the World and Me (Special) – Directed by Kamilah Forbes (Premieres November 21 on HBO)
“Between the World and Me”: HBO
First published in 2015, “Between the World and Me” was written as a letter to Ta-Nehisi Coates’ teenage son, and recounts the author’s experiences growing up in Baltimore’s inner city and his growing fear of daily violence against the Black community. The narrative explores Coates’ bold notion that American society structurally supports white supremacy. Based on the 2018 adaptation and staging of the book at the Apollo Theater, this HBO Special combines elements of the Apollo’s production, including powerful readings from Coates’ book, and incorporates documentary footage from the actors’ home life, archival footage, and animation.
Black Narcissus (Miniseries) – Directed by Charlotte Bruus Christensen; Written by Amanda Coe (Premieres November 23 on FX)
Mopu, Himalayas, 1934. A remote clifftop palace once known as the “House of Women” holds many dark secrets. When the young nuns of St. Faith attempt to establish a mission there, its haunting mysteries awaken forbidden desires that seem destined to repeat a terrible tragedy.
Belly of the Beast (Documentary) – Directed by Erika Cohn (Premieres November 23 on PBS)
“Belly of the Beast”
Though it’s most closely associated with Nazi Germany, eugenics has a history stateside as well. And it’s not just a thing of the past. “Belly of the Beast” tells the story of Kelli Dillon, one of many women who has been involuntarily sterilized while in prison. Erika Cohn’s documentary sees Dillon teaming up with Cynthia Chandler, a radical human rights lawyer, to expose horrifying reproductive injustice occurring in California prisons by taking on the Department of Corrections. After telling Dillon she seemed to have cysts on her ovaries, a doctor at the prison asked if she wanted children. She said yes. Already a mother, she was missing the opportunity to watch her two sons grow up, and hoped she’d get the chance to have another child to share that experience with. The 24-year-old consented to a hysterectomy if he found cancer, and on that condition alone. Following the procedure, Dillon was told she’d still be able to have children. She was lied to. “Belly of the Beast” explores how — and why — this horror story unfolded: how inmates become numbers, and that depersonalization makes it easier for those in power to abuse them, the stigma against those behind bars that encourages the public to see them as subhuman, and the role that racism plays in all of this. (LB)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Erika Cohn.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK
“Wonder Girl” concept art: Joëlle Jones/DC
Apply Now: Women and Hollywood Editorial Fellowship
Rewriting Heroes: Crowdfunding Picks
DOC NYC Announces Jury Awards, “Landfall” Wins Viewfinders Grand Jury Prize
Apply Now: The Horizon Award for Emerging Women Filmmakers
Pick of the Day: “Born to Be”
Dailyn Rodriguez Developing “Wonder Girl” Series for The CW, Marks First DC TV Title Led by Latina Superhero
DOC NYC Names Loira Limbal, Iyabo Boyd, and More as Documentary New Leaders
Israel Adds “Asia” to Oscars’ International Feature Race
Kirsten Johnson’s “Dick Johnson Is Dead” Wins Big at Critics Choice Doc Awards
Note: All descriptions are from press materials, unless otherwise noted.
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