Fans of films and trendy hashtags will be aware of Women in Film’s #52FilmsByWomen, an online pledge you can take right now that is open to anyone looking to raise the profile of women in the director’s chair. All you have to do is sit in your own chair and watch 52 films made by women – all before 2016 ends.
And I’m here to help you do that.
Every month in 2016, I’m going to give a small list of films to watch that are directed by women and only women. These aren’t necessarily films ABOUT women or films that have made critics buzz. I’m looking to broaden the horizon by also throwing in schlocky blockbusters, guilty-pleasure comedies, indie art-wank, family films, and every other cinematic ground I can cover. Before this year’s done, I can guarantee you’ll hate at least one of the films I list.
Since we’re already halfway into January, I’m going to take it easy on you by listing only three titles to watch this month. (To find out how to get these films, click on the link below each entry.)
#1 52 Tuesdays | directed by Sophie Hyde
This Australian coming-of-age drama is a fitting way to kick things off, given it was shot over the course of a year on every single Tuesday. The film follows 16-year-old Billie as she goes through a sexual awakening the moment her mother begins a lengthy transition to becoming a man.
Written on the fly on a week-to-week basis, 52 Tuesdays stretches itself a little too far on occasions with mundane situations that are as effective as a shoulder shrug. But the payoff is worth it thanks to its quality cast and a knowing display of teenage sexuality that is both careful and confrontational.
’52 Tuesdays’ DVD, Blu-ray and On Demand options
#2 Jesus Camp | directed by Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady
Holy shit oh my God Jesus Christ this film is terrifying.
Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady’s Academy Award-nominated documentary captures the horrifying activities of an evangelical Christian summer camp in North Dakota. Lovingly named ‘Kids on Fire’, this particular camp promotes the word of Jesus by psychologically beating down its young residents through nasty guilt trips. Kids are driven to tears as they plead for forgiveness, and those scenes seep into your soul for all the wrong reasons.
It’s the complete opposite of my memories at a Christian School Holiday Program. We just played Jesus board games and ate cupcakes. It was awesome.
‘Jesus Camp’ DVD, Blu-ray and On Demand options
#3 Punisher: War Zone | directed by Lexi Alexander
The Punisher is my favourite comic book property, but even I know a blockbuster movie adaptation makes about as much sense as Mad Max: Fury Road – The Novella. If there was ever a Marvel character that suited straight-to-video action glory, it’s Frank fucking Castle, and stunts specialists-turned-filmmaker Lexi Alexander pointed her horns forward and charged with War Zone.
With gore galore and little more, this is trashy B-grade goodness that puts the ‘luscious’ in ridiculuscious.
‘Punisher: War Zone’ DVD, Blu-ray and On Demand options
The list of #52FilmsByWomen continues with…
February (including one pick from Deathgasm producer Morgan Leigh Stewart)
March (including one pick from NewsHub’s Kate Rodger)
April (including one pick from Sunday director Michelle Joy Lloyd)
