#kajillonaire | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

fuckyeahwomenfilmdirectors · 5 years ago

Photo

20 Most Anticipated of 2020 Part 1: 1-10

20 films directed by women that will debut in 2020.

Part II HERE

DNA dir. Maïwenn

French actress/director/writer Maïwenn steps in front of and behind the camera once more with the semi-autobiographical DNA in which a woman from an abusive family reluctantly reunites with her toxic family members after her beloved grandfather dies. Maïwenn has a stellar reputation among the French critical elite but it would be nice if one of her films could break out beyond that. Here’s hoping DNA is that film.

Emma dir. Autumn de Wilde

Yes, I am a Janite, thank you for asking. Jane Austen has long been reverred, adored, propped up and consumed: mainly by women. So it makes sense that finally after a bajillion adaptations we’re getting one directed by a woman. Can’t wait to see how photographer turned director de Wilde interprets the classic tale and how it will measure up against other adaptations including Amy Hecklering’s genre bending modern adaptation of the tale, Clueless.

The Glorias dir. Julie Taymor

I don’t always love Taymor’s films but I am a huge admirer of all of them; it’s so clear watching each one that she’s a genius with incredible vision. The Glorias has her turn her remarkable eye on the life of American feminist Gloria Steinem played across several generations by several actresses including Alicia Vikander and Julianne Moore. Can’t wait.

The Half of It dir. Alice Wu

It’s been sixteen (!) years since Wu’s debut feature film, the lovely lesbian rom com Saving Face. Wu was a software designer before coming out of nowhere to direct Saving Face, and then disappearing just as abruptly. I was thrilled when Netflix announced that her latest film would be a loose adaptation of the play Cyrano de Bergerac and would focus on a nerdy teenage girl who helps the school jock woo the girl they both have a crush on.

Happiest Season dir. Clea Duvall

Actress turned director Duvall makes her transition to mainstream studio work with a romcom about a woman who plans to propose to her girlfriend at her girlfriend’s family’s annual Christmas party only to discover that her partner isn’t out to her parents. Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis play the conflicted couple.

Kajillonaire dir. Miranda July

It’s been nine years since the release of July’s last film which is sort of crazy given how consistently well reviewed and critically loved her films are. Kajillionaire has been in the works for a few years and stars Evan Rachel Wood as a young woman from a crime family who (falls in love? Unclear from the vague plot description) is shown another way of life by a woman who unwittingly is tangled up in her family’s latest schemes.

Marry Me dir. Kat Coiro

Coiro burst onto the scene nearly a decade ago with a trio of easily consumable indies and then got swallowed up by TV. It’s nice to see her back and directing her first feature film in 7 (!) years. An adaptation of a graphic novel of the same name Marry Me is a romcom about a star who is jilted at the alter by her celeb boyfriend and then, to cover her humiliation, abruptly marries a random fan she picks from the crowd. Not only does the concept sound like the tooth achingly sweet premise needed to kick off a decent romcom but Jlo herself plays the star. Bring on the Jlo-naissance!

Mr. Malcom’s List dir. Emma Holly Jones

In 2019 Refinery 29 released the short film Mr. Malcolm’s List, a period piece romcom about a wealthy gentleman with ridiculous standards for what he wants in a wife and the woman who schemes to win his affections. The twist? This neo regency tale went full colour blind and cast poc (including Gemma Chan) in the lead roles. The short was so successful that it was announced that a full feature film would be developed with Jones and Chan returning.

Never Rarely Sometimes Always dir. Eliza Hittman

I remember Hittman talking about this film during the promo tour for Beach Rats, back when it was going under the title A. The film is about two teenage girls, one of whom is pregnant, and a day trip they take to NYC to experience the magic of the city and to access abortion services they can’t in their homestate. Hitman is a delicate and thoughtful director and this film promises to hit all the subjects I’m interested in including the power of female friendship and the importance of abortion rights.

Nomadland dir. Chloé Zhao

One of two films Zhao is releasing in 2020 (she’s also directing a little film for Marvel, maybe you’ve heard of it, called The Eternals). Nomadland cleaves closer to Zhao’s indie roots and stars Frances McDormand as a woman made homeless by the Great Recession who lives out of her van. As someone who was scared that Zhao’s work with Marvel would flatten out the lush and beautiful cinematic style she developed in her previous work I’m so glad that in 2020 their will be at least one Zhao indie that promises to stay true to her early vision.

978 notes · View notes