31 WOC Directed films for Women's History Month
Hi All,
Sorry for this late and singular post this month. The festival I work for was this month and between finalizing things, traveling to D.C. and putting the festival on, I just did not have time to finalize this sooner like I planned. Regularly scheduled biweekly newsletters will resume on April 17th.
All loglines taken from IMDB or filmmaker’s website
The Heart Still Hums | Savanah Leaf, Taylor Russell
A documentary short following five women as they fight for their children through the cycle of homelessness, drug addictions and neglect from their own parents. Unique, yet undoubtedly familiar to many; a story about fear, sacrifice and the unconditional love between a mother and her children.
Where to watch: VimeoClose Ties to Home Country | Akanksha Cruczynski
Millennial immigrant Akanksha waits for her sister’s visit from India (they haven’t seen each other in nine years!). Meanwhile, she’s dog sitting the fancy Frenchie of Instagram influencers India and Harry, who themselves are on a trip to India’s namesake.
Where to watch: YoutubeNo Law, No Heaven | Kristi Hoi
A man's life in three vignettes as he navigates his sexual identity amidst tradition in Hong Kong's notorious Kowloon Walled City.
Where to watch: YoutubeAfrican Booty Scratcher | Nikyatu Jusu
Prom nears and things seem to be spiraling out of control for the typically composed Isatu. In this coming of age story, West African tradition conflicts with American idealism as Isatu is forced to reassess her idea of the perfect dress.
Where to watch: VimeoFeathers | A.V. Rockwell
An emotionally-dejected schoolboy must overcome memories of a tragic past and current hazing by his peers in order to tackle larger issues dominating his young life.
Where to watch: YoutubeTouch | Lulu Wang
When an elderly Chinese man's cultural naivety gets him in trouble after he touches a young American boy, he struggles with his son and the legal system to make the context of the 'touch' understood.Where to watch: Vimeo
Cousins | Mandy Marcus
A Brooklyn teenager is reunited with her Guyanese cousin for the funeral of a relative. On the last day of the wake, the girls venture out into the city alone.
Where to watch: YoutubeKAMA’ĀINA (Child of the Land) | Kimi Howl Lee
After suffering abuse from her stepfather, a 16 y/o queer Mahina must navigate life on the streets, until she eventually finds refuge at the Puuhonua o Waianae - Hawaii's largest organized homeless encampment.
Where to watch: VimeoRuda | Maria Victoria Ponce
Stuck indoors, instead of battling imaginary villains, adventurous Aurora must help her grandmother, the local curandera, ease the pains and ailments of neighbors and family. Only when she herself needs some healing does she recognize the real superhero.
Where to watch: VimeoGong Gi | So Young Shelly Yo
In a future dystopia where the air is toxic, a woman named Yumi decides to escape her quarantined life.
Where to watch: VimeoHoney and Trombones | Tayarisha Poe
This is the patchwork story of how Louisa remembers Indiana, and the relationship that they had with one another.
Where to watch: VimeoActing Our Age | Gurinder Chadha
This humorous and thought-provoking film documents the residents of a South Asian home for the elderly in Britain. Director Gurinder Chadha assists the residents in directing their own video. The result is an examination of politics, ageism, and cross-cultural communication in contemporary British society. Interview subjects range from people on the street to members of Parliament. The film ends with the triumphant screening of the group’s completed film.
Where to watch: Criterion ChannelHella Trees | Ayo Akingbade
Follows a young obsessive, Rafiki whose artistic practice focuses on trees, their individuality and presence.
Where to watch: Criterion ChannelHoverboard | Sydney Freeland
After watching Back to the Future 2, an imaginative young girl and her stuffed teddy bear try to invent a real, working Hoverboard.
Where to watch: YoutubeNgangkari | Erica Glynn
A look into how the Ngangkari healers share their traditions for the well being of the Anangu people, in Central Australia.
Where to watch: KanopyFigs | Anu Valia
Rejected from her family and friends, a young girl finds friendship in a mysterious, little boy.
Where to watch: VimeoStorme: The Lady of the Jewel Box | Michelle Parkerson
The story of Storme DeLarverie MC and male impersonator at the Jewel Box Revue, the first integrated gender impersonation show.
Where to watch: Criterion ChannelFannies Film | Fronza Woods
Documentary short about Fannie Drayton, the eponymous "Invisible Woman" of Fannie's film. She is the custodian at a early 1980s exercise studio. While the director Fronza Woods interspersed images of exercisers Fannie briefly tells her life story and what led her to work as a custodian. Fannie is depicted as a thankful hardworking woman pleased that someone is interested in hearing her story.
Where to watch: Criterion ChannelCakeman | Sofia Garza-Barba
On her 6th birthday, Libby receives a scary present.
Where to watch: VimeoParalysis | R. Shanea Robinson
Meet Jessica. She's not getting any sleep tonight.
Where to watch: VimeoTo be Free | Adepero Oduye
In a tiny after-hours club, Nina Simone finds a way for one moment to be free.
Where to watch: VimeoPumzi | Wanuri Kahiu
A sci-fi film about Africa in the future, 35 years after World War III, the water war.
Where to watch: VimeoA Little Bit of Me | Halima Lucas
About a troubled youth who wakes up in the room of his 5 year old self.
Where to watch: VimeoWere You Gay in High School? | Niki Ang
Two queer women recall their awkward, closeted high school days of kissing boys and straight-girl crushes.
Where to watch: YoutubeTuesday | Margo Sawaya
On a typical Tuesday, two high school students form an unlikely bond as they face challenges in their daily lives. That is, until their day is cut short by a great and sudden change.
Where to watch: VimeoSpark and Light | So Yong Kim
"Mom's stable, asleep. Drive safe. Xoxo Dad." Soon after Elizabeth receives a text message, she finds out her mother isn't the only one lost in sleep. Elizabeth's car has broken down and it's freezing cold, with no signs of life nearby. She just has to wait, patiently.
Where to watch: YoutubeLe Donne Della Vucciria | Hiam Abbass
In the Vucciria, the heart of Palermo's historic old city, strains of quintessentially Italian traditional music drift into a dressmaker's workshop. As she sews in time, creating a mysterious collection of traditional puppet costumes, the square below comes alive with music and dancing.
Where to watch: YoutubeSeed | Naomi Kawase
A girl, Sakura, takes a journey from the enchanted nature of Nara to the chaos of Tokyo, encountering many things and people along the way. Moving like a tree that sways in the wind, the girl expresses a spirit that secretly runs through places and living things.
Where to watch: YoutubeWomen in Deep | Janicza Bravo
A woman calls a suicide prevention hot line and is put on hold.
Where to watch: VimeoTwenty Something | Aphton Corbin
Follows Gia, who has to deal with the challenges and insecurities of "adulting" during her 21st birthday.
Where to watch: Disney+Gene Boy Come Home | Alanis Obomsawin
A portrait of Eugene "Gene Boy" Benedict, from Odanak Indian Reserve (near Montreal, Quebec), who enlisted in the US Marines at 17 and was sent to the frontlines of the Vietnam War.
Where to watch: Youtube
Upcoming Releases 🎥
A Thousand and One - 3/31 (Saw this last night and loved it!)
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves - 3/31
Malum - 3/31
Prom Pact - 3/31 (Disney+)
Spinning Gold - 3/31
Kill Boksoon - 3/31 (Netflx)
Rye Lane - 3/31 (On Hulu,my review here: I loved it)
Colorblind - 4/4
Air - 4/5
Chupa - 4/7 (Netflix)
One True Loves - 4/7
El Houb - 4/7
Gangs of Lagos - 4/7 (Prime)
How to Blowup a Pipeline - 4/7
Ride On - 4/7
Praise This - 4/7 (Peacock)