FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING
The Girl in the Spider’s Web
“The Girl in the Spider’s Web”
Computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Claire Foy) and journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Sverrir Gudnason) find themselves caught in a web of spies, cybercriminals, and corrupt government officials. (Press materials)
Find screening info here.
Jinn – Written and Directed by Nijla Mu’min (Opens November 15; Available on VOD November 16)
Summer (Zoe Renee) is a 17-year-old, carefree black girl whose world is turned upside down when her mother, a popular meteorologist named Jade Jennings (Simone Missick), abruptly converts to Islam and becomes a different person, prompting Summer to reevaluate her identity. (Press materials)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Nijla Mu’min.
Watch an exclusive clip of “Jinn” here.
Liz and the Blue Bird – Directed by Naoko Yamada; Written by Reiko Yoshida
“Liz and the Blue Bird”
In this animated film, Mizore Yoroizuka (Atsumi Tanezaki) and Nozomi Kasaki (Nao Toyama) are a pair of best friends in their final year of high school. They’re both obsessed with the school’s brass band club. With Mizore on the oboe and Nozomi on the flute, they spend their days in happiness — until the club begins to practice songs inspired by the fairy tale “Liz und ein Blauer Vogel” — “Liz and the Blue Bird.” Immersed in this story, Mizore and Nozomi begin to realize that there may be no such thing as being together forever. (Press materials)
Find screening info here.
The New Romantic – Written and Directed by Carly Stone (Available on VOD November 13)
Frustrated with the lack of chivalrous guys her own age, a college senior (Jessica Barden) gives up on dating for love to date an older man (Timm Sharp) in exchange for gifts instead. (Press materials)
Find screening info here.
Here and Now – Written by Laura Eason (Also Available on VOD)
“Here And Now”
Vivienne (Sarah Jessica Parker), is an established singer-songwriter with a successful music career. On the eve of a major performance, Vivienne receives some life-altering news that causes her to reevaluate her priorities. As she crisscrosses the busy streets of New York City, she tries to balance her upcoming music tour, family, and friends. With the support of her overbearing mother (Jacqueline Bisset), her long-time manager (Common), and her ex-husband (Simon Baker), Vivienne strives to make peace with the decisions and sacrifices she’s made along the way. (Press materials)
Find screening info here.
Pimp – Written and Directed by Christine Crokos (Also Available on VOD)
“Pimp”
Born into the Pimp Game, a struggling female pimp, Wednesday (Keke Palmer), hustles for a chance at a better life. When her girlfriend, Nikki (Haley Ramm), hits the streets to change their luck, Wednesday’s game starts to rise and so do her stable of girls. On her epic journey of survival of the fittest, Wednesday comes face to face with a male pimp (Edi Gathegi) who plays a much more dangerous game. In a ferocious battle for street power, Wednesday fights to survive, risking her dream of ever getting out. (Press materials)
Lez Bomb – Written and Directed by Jenna Laurenzo (Also Available on VOD)
A holiday comedy about a woman (Jenna Laurenzo) who comes home with life-changing news. As it turns out, there is no good time to drop the Lez Bomb. (Press materials)
May the Devil Take You (Available on Netflix November 15)
When their father suffers from a mysterious illness, Alfie (Chelsea Islan), her step-siblings, and stepmother return to an old family villa and uncover a terrifying secret about their father’s demonic pact. A broken promise threatens a gruesome end to her family, and Alfie realizes that she’s the only one who can pay the debt. (Press materials)
FILMS MADE BY WOMEN OPENING
“The Long Dumb Road”
The Long Dumb Road – Directed by Hannah Fidell; Written by Hannah Fidell and Carson Mell (Available on VOD November 16)
Nat (Tony Revolori), an aspiring photographer, is heading towards a bright future in art school in Los Angeles and wants to find the real America en route to new beginnings out West; Richard (Jason Mantzoukas), a lovably unkempt motormouth, is simply looking for connection in the moment — and maybe a beer or 10 — while he grapples with indecision, past mistakes, and dead-ends. As they travel through the American Southwest, taking in picturesque towns and crossing paths with an assortment of old flames, fellow travelers, kooky cons, and Good Samaritans, both passengers come alive through the myriad possibilities of the open road. (Press materials)
Find screening info here.
Outlaw King – Written by Bathsheba Doran, Mark Bomback, David Harrower, James MacInnes, and David Mackenzie (Also Available on Netflix)
“Outlaw King”
“Outlaw King” tells the untold, true story of Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine), who transforms from defeated nobleman to outlaw hero during the oppressive occupation of medieval Scotland by Edward I of England. Despite grave consequences, Robert seizes the Scottish crown and rallies an impassioned group of men to fight back against the mighty army of the tyrannical King and his volatile son, the Prince of Wales (Billy Howle). (Press materials)
The Divide – Written by Jana Brown (Opens in LA)
Set in drought-plagued Northern California in 1976, “The Divide” chronicles the story of Sam Kincaid (Perry King), an aging rancher with a failing memory, his estranged and independent-minded daughter, Sarah (Sara Arrington), and Luke (Bryan Kaplan), a young ranch hand who finds himself in the midst of a family in crisis. Internal struggles, the realities of an unforgiving landscape, and the need to reconcile a long-ago tragedy collide to create the backdrop for this American Western. (Press materials)
Find screening info here.
TV PREMIERES
“Sally4Ever”: HBO
The Queen of Flow (Premieres November 9 on Netflix)
“The Queen of Flow” tells the story of Yeimy Montoya, a talented young woman who pays a wrongful sentence in a New York prison. Her only desire is to get out to take revenge against all those who destroyed her life. On the top of the list is Charly Flow, an acclaimed and famous singer of reggaeton who plagiarized the lyrics of her songs, played with her, and sent her to jail. Yeimy must fake her death and change her identity. She will return as Tamy Andrade, a wealthy reggaeton producer, who puts an end to Charly Flow’s career. (Press materials)
Sally4Ever – Created, Written, and Directed by Julia Davis (Premieres November 11 on HBO)
“Sally4Ever” is a hilarious portrait of an aging Manic Pixie Dream Girl as she wreaks havoc on her straight-laced love interest’s once-stable, if unfulfilling, life. Emma (Julia Davis, “Camping”) dances when no one else is, sings in a rock band, wears wigs and a cool red leather jacket, and loves being the center of attention. She’s charismatic and quirky — and also totally and utterly full of shit. A pathological liar who is constantly trying to take advantage of anyone and everyone, she finds easy prey in Sally (Catherine Shepherd, “Peep Show”), a people-pleaser who struggles to stand up for herself. When they meet, Sally is unhappily engaged to David (Alex Macqueen, “The Delivery Man”), her insufferable boyfriend of a decade. After just one wild night out together, Emma convinces Sally to let her crash. And break up with her fiancé. And move in with her. And redecorate her apartment. And so on. (Laura Berger)
Origin – Created and Written by Mika Watkins (Premieres November 14 on YouTube Premium)
“Origin”: Joe Alblas/Left Bank Pictures/YouTube
A group of strangers find themselves stranded on a spacecraft bound for a distant planet — but soon realize that one of their fellow passengers is not who they claim to be. (Press materials)
The Emperor’s Newest Clothes (Animated Musical Special) – Written by Sheila Nevins (Premieres November 15 on HBO)
“The Emperor’s Newest Clothes” tells the story of a vain ruler who lives in a great kingdom where he decides everything and everyone agrees with him — at least in his company. Whether he tells villagers it’s sunny when it’s actually raining, or it’s raining when it’s actually sunny, the Emperor (Jeff Daniels) is the only arbiter who matters. Fearful of losing their jobs (or more), the Emperor’s closest confidantes, Syco the Jester (John Early) and Phantic the Advisor (Tim Heidecker), praise his decisions, however foolish. (Playbill)
VOD/STREAMING RELEASES
“Good Manners”
Good Manners – Written and Directed by Juliana Rojas and Marco Dutra (VOD, November 13)
Juliet, Naked – Written by Tamara Jenkins, Evgenia Peretz, and Jim Taylor (VOD, November 13)
Mile 22 – Written by Lea Carpenter (VOD, November 13)
Puzzle – Written by Polly Mann and Oren Moverman (VOD, November 13)
PICKS OF THE WEEK FROM WOMEN AND HOLLYWOOD
“Bulbul Can Sing”: TIFF
Women’s Work: Crowdfunding Picks
Exclusive: A Mother and Daughter Argue About Islam in “Jinn” Clip
Apply Now: Birds Eye View Future Leaders in Distribution Program
DOC NYC 2018 Preview: Immigration, Trans Rights, Ursula K. Le Guin, and More
1972 Aretha Franklin Doc Will Finally Receive Theatrical Release
Hope, Solidarity, and Support at TheWrap’s Power Women Summit
Under the Radar: Rima Das’ “Bulbul Can Sing” Examines the Joy and Pain of Growing Up
Guest Post: How I Branched Out from “Ethnic Friend” to Leading Lady in “Unlovable”
Apply Now: Women and Hollywood Internship
Exclusive: Bliqis Abdul-Qaadir Explores “Life Without Basketball” in a Clip of the DOC NYC Film
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