FILMS ABOUT WOMEN OPENING
The Kindergarten Teacher – Written and Directed by Sara Colangelo (Also Available on Netflix)
Unfulfilled with her work in the classroom and her home life with ordinary children and an ordinary husband, Lisa Spinelli (Maggie Gyllenhaal) dreams of a more meaningful existence brimming with art and intellectualism. But she’s not particularly talented. Her evening poetry class is evidence of her mediocrity. Lisa is all too eager to latch onto someone else’s coattails — even if they belong to a five-year-old. When Lisa overhears her student Jimmy (Parker Sevak) reciting a poem, she becomes fixated on the child and his artistry. Convinced he’s “a young Mozart,” she commits to nurturing his talent — at any cost. At times difficult to watch, “The Kindergarten Teacher” and Gyllenhaal’s performance are impossible to look away from. Written and directed by Sara Colangelo (“Little Accidents”), the film is hilarious and horrifying, and often within the span of a few seconds. (Laura Berger)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Sara Colangelo.
The Sentence (Documentary) (Opens in Select Theaters; Premieres on HBO October 15)
“The Sentence”
Mass incarceration is a hot political topic in our current climate. Yet most of the conversations have been focused on men. “The Sentence” is a heartbreaking film about Cindy Shank, who was given 15 years in prison for crimes committed by a former, dead boyfriend. Cindy left her ex, he died, and she started a whole new life. Then, after giving birth to three daughters, her past catches up with her and she is given a mandatory minimum sentence. The documentary shows the daughters, the husband, and the family Cindy left behind and how they try every day to understand how this could have happened. They fight for Cindy, for themselves, and for their future together. Cindy’s brother Rudy uses the camera to tell us his family’s story, and watching what they go through is very intense and heart-wrenching. If you ever wanted to know why there needs to be flexibility on mandatory minimums, this is the film to watch. (Melissa Silverstein)
Sadie – Written and Directed by Megan Griffiths (Opens in NY and LA)
“Sadie”
“Sadie” is the story of a 13-year-old girl (Sophia Mitri Schloss) who lives at home with her mother (Melanie Lynskey) while her father serves repeated tours in the military. Sadie is extremely attached to her father despite his prolonged absence, and when her mother begins dating a new man (John Gallagher Jr.), Sadie takes extreme measures to end the relationship and safeguard her family through the only tactics she knows — those of war. (Press materials)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Megan Griffiths.
Find screening info here.
Over the Limit (Documentary) – Written and Directed by Marta Prus (Opens in NY)
“Over the Limit”
For five years, former gymnast and documentarian Marta Prus followed Russian rhythmic gymnast Margarita Mamun on her pressure-filled quest for Olympic Gold. An intimate portrait of the world’s most outstanding rhythmic gymnast, “Over the Limit” shows how the grueling Russian system for training athletes transgresses numerous boundaries. Mamun has reached a crucial moment in her career — she’s soon to retire, but has one final goal set out for her: winning Olympic gold. And while competing against her best friend, Yana Kudryavtseva, and being driven by the sport’s most infamous, groundbreaking, and fiercely determined coach, “Over the Limit” becomes a nail-biting behind-the-scenes drama, which shines a spotlight on the intense physical and mental labor put into a sport that thrives on its beautiful aesthetics. (Press materials)
Find screening info here.
Feminists: What Were They Thinking? (Documentary) – Directed by Johanna Demetrakas (Available on Netflix)
“Feminists: What Were They Thinking?”
In 1977, a book of photographs captured an awakening — women shedding cultural restrictions and embracing their full humanity. This documentary digs deep into the personal experiences of sexism and of liberation by revisiting those photos, those women, and those times. The film follows this ever-evolving dialogue right into the 21st century, and takes aim at our current culture, vividly revealing the need for continued change. (Press materials)
Jane and Emma – Directed by Chantelle Squires; Written by Melissa Leilani Larson
Two women. One white. The other black. Society mandated they be enemies. The gospel of Jesus Christ required they be friends. On the eve of the death of Joseph Smith (Brad Schmidt), his widow, Emma (Emily Goss), is on the brink of destruction. In order to stand with her friend in her darkest hour, one woman, Jane Manning (Danielle Deadwyler), will need to hear the voice of God once more. Can she hear His voice again? And if so, can she find the strength to abide it? (Press materials)
Find screening info here.
Bikini Moon
“Bikini Moon”
Initially discovered when the documentary filmmakers happen upon her at a homeless center, the lively and charismatic Bikini, brought to life in a whirlwind performance by Condola Rashad (“Billions”), soon becomes entrenched in the lives of the crew as they struggle to simultaneously help Bikini stay on her feet and complete their project. A self-described “Jesus with tits,” Bikini yearns to use her master carpentry skills to build a new life for herself and the daughter that was taken away by the foster care system. (Press materials)
Impulso (Documentary) (One Week Only in NY from October 17)
“Impulso”
Rocίo Molina is all of 32 years old: an avant-garde performance artist/flamenco dancer with a dash of Björk and Pina Bausch thrown in for good measure. Often onstage alone, her work grows from the flamenco tradition but she infuses it with a modern, magnetic passion: crawling through red paint (suggestive of menstrual blood or the aftermath of a violent crime) or moving to a hard-driving rock beat. At times her look is minimal, almost Japanese in its austerity; at other times her persona suggests a sexy, plump fruit, ripe and edible. In his feature debut, Emilio Belmonte captures Molina as she prepares for her biggest professional challenge yet: creating a new show for her Paris debut at the Chaillot National Theater. Through it all, she is never less than a force of nature. (Press materials)
Find screening info here.
I Still See You (Also Available on VOD)
Ten years after an apocalyptic event left the world haunted by ghosts, Roni (Bella Thorne) receives a threatening message from beyond the grave. Joining forces with a mysterious classmate, Kirk (Richard Harmon), Roni descends into a shadow world that blurs the bounds of the living and the dead — and begins a desperate race against time to stop a cunning killer. (Press materials)
Kinky
Set in the affluent community of Buckhead, Atlanta, “Kinky” follows Dr. Joyce Carmichael (Dawn Richard), a talented, yet introverted, surgeon at Sinai Hospital, who is struggling with the fact that she is still single. Joyce’s strict Christian upbringing is a constant source of internal conflict for her, and limits the men she dates. However, upon a chance encounter with handsome investor Darrin Bernard (Robert Ri’chard), Joyce immediately begins a whirlwind romance with the wealthy businessman and entrepreneur. It isn’t long before Joyce begins to explore her own sexual fantasies, and convinces Darrin to join her in S&M sex. This leads them into further and further exploration into this world, which is traditionally considered taboo in the conservative, upscale black community of Buckhead. (Press materials)
Find screening info here.
Look Away (Also Available on VOD)
“Look Away” is a psychological thriller that tells the story of Maria (India Eisley), an alienated high-school student whose life is turned upside down when she switches places with her sinister mirror image. (Press materials)
FILMS MADE BY WOMEN OPENING
“Shotgun”
After Everything – Written and Directed by Hannah Marks and Joey Power (Also Available on VOD)
When Elliot (Jeremy Allen White), a brash 23-year-old living carefree in New York City, meets the sensible Mia (Maika Monroe) and receives a damning diagnosis all in the same week, his world is turned completely upside down. But as their love blossoms amidst the chaos of his treatment, they discover that Elliot’s illness is not the real test of their relationship — it’s everything else. (Press materials)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Hannah Marks.
Stella’s Last Weekend – Written and Directed by Polly Draper (Available on VOD October 23)
“Stella’s Last Weekend” is a sweet family story about brothers Jack (Nat Wolff) and Oliver (Alex Wolff), who reunite at their childhood home to put their beloved dog, Stella, to sleep. While their unconventional mother (Polly Draper) plans an extravagant party in celebration of Stella’s life, Jack and Oliver are blindsided when they discover they are both in love with the same girl. (Press materials)
Charm City (Documentary) – Directed by Marilyn Ness (Opens in NY October 17)
“Charm City”
On the streets of Baltimore, shooting is rampant, the murder rate is approaching an all-time high, and the distrust of the police is at a fever pitch. With nerves frayed and neighborhoods in distress, dedicated community leaders, compassionate law-enforcement officers, and a progressive young city councilman try to stem the epidemic of violence. Filmed over three tumultuous years covering the lead up to, and the aftermath of, Freddie Gray’s death in police custody, “Charm City” is an intimate cinema verité portrait of those surviving in, and fighting for, the vibrant city they call home. (Press materials)
Read Women and Hollywood’s interview with Marilyn Ness.
Find screening info here.
Bigger – Written by Ellen Furman, Andy Weiss, George Gallo, and Brad Furman
“Bigger” is the inspirational tale of the grandfathers of fitness as we now know it, Joe and Ben Weider (Tyler Hoechlin and Aneurin Barnard). Facing anti-Semitism and extreme poverty, the brothers beat all odds to build an empire and inspire future generations. (Press materials)
Better Start Running – Written by Annie Burgstede and Chad Faust (Also Available on VOD)
In “Better Start Running,” an unexpected series of events turns everyday store clerk Harley (Alex Sharp) into a wanted man — and even more unexpectedly, he finds himself on the run with the girl of his dreams (Analeigh Tipton). FBI Agent McFadden (Maria Bello) is determined to crush him and wants to teach her rookie partner (Karan Soni) how it’s done. But while the agents pursue their culprit, our hero has loftier pursuits. He kidnaps his Vietnam vet grandfather (Jeremy Irons) to reunite him with the love of his life, picks up a try-hard beatnik hitchhiker (Edi Gathegi) with a secret of his own, and against all common sense follows a roadside attractions map with a mysterious history. As the agents get closer and closer with every stop, this eclectic band of misfits becomes an unlikely family. (Press materials)
Rusty – Written by Savannah Morgan and Errol Sack
Rusty (Steven Bruns), a broke trucker facing eviction, agrees to help his sexy neighbor track down her husband’s murderer, but he must overcome the ghosts of his past if he’s going to do the job. (Press materials)
TV PREMIERES
“Charmed”
Light as a Feather (Premieres October 12 on Hulu)
“Light as a Feather” follows five teenage girls as they deal with the supernatural fallout stemming from an innocent game of “Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board.” When the girls start dying off in the exact way that was predicted, the survivors must figure out why they’re being targeted — and whether the evil force hunting them down is one of their own. (Press materials)
The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell (Talk Show) (Premieres October 12 on Netflix)
Wickedly talented baker and artist Christine McConnell fills her home with haunting confections, creepy crafts — and wildly inappropriate creatures. (Press materials)
Charmed – Developed by Jessica O’Toole, Amy Rardin, and Jennie Snyder Urman (Premieres October 14 on The CW)
“Charmed” follows the lives of three sisters (Melonie Diaz, Madeleine Mantock, and Sarah Jeffrey) who, after the tragic death of their mother, discover they are powerful witches. (Press materials)
Camping – Created by Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner (Premieres October 14 on HBO)
“Camping”: HBO
From “Girls” collaborators Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner, “Camping” is led by Jennifer Garner’s Kathryn, a high-strung Type A personality who organizes a long weekend camping trip for her husband’s (David Tennant, “Broadchurch”) 45th birthday. Like “Girls,” most of “Camping’s” comedy is mined from egregious social transgressions (Kathryn jeering a new engagement) or the characters’ general dickishness (one character, an alcoholic, referring to another, a black woman, as “Li’l Chocolate”). In spite of the tension between the characters — among the trip’s four couples, there are secrets, sexual frustration, and grudges galore — “Camping” is an extremely cathartic, extremely funny series. One thing’s for sure: a bunch of people finally cutting the bullshit and getting real with one another just feels earned right now. (Rachel Montpelier)
VOD/STREAMING RELEASES
“Whitney”: Cannes
Quality Problems – Directed by Brooke Purdy and Doug Purdy; Written by Brooke Purdy (VOD, Available Now)
55 Steps (VOD, October 16)
Boundaries – Written and Directed by Shana Feste (VOD, October 16)
BuyBust (VOD, October 16)
Whitney (Documentary) (VOD, October 16)
PICKS OF THE WEEK FROM WOMEN AND HOLLYWOOD
America Ferrera directed an episode of her show “Superstore” this year: Colleen Heyes/NBC
DOC NYC 2018 Unveils Lineup, 50 Percent of Features in Competition are Women-Directed
Martha Plimpton on How Non-Profit A is For Goes to Bat for Reproductive Rights
DGA Report: Women-Directed Eps Up 14% in 2017-18, POC-Directed Eps Stagnant
WeForShe Accepting Nominations for 2019 WriteHer List
Quote of the Day: Anita Hill on Ensuring the Industry Holds Sexual Harassers and Abusers Accountable
Foreign Language Oscar Submissions Are 23 Percent Women-Directed
Exclusive: “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” Cast and Crew on Producer Judy Craymer
New Study Finds Women-Driven Superhero and Sci-Fi Stories Empower Girls
Mill Valley Film Festival Signs Gender Parity Pledge, Honors Dr. Stacy Smith
A Year of Reckoning in Hollywood
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