Welcome back to Reel Women, the monthly feature that highlights the films being released in the UK that are written and/or directed by women. It’s November so you know what that means? It’s the start of the Christmassy movies! If festive films aren’t your thing, there’s still a lot to choose from with horror films, dramas and action.
1 November
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound
Directed by: Midge Costin
Written by: Bobette Buster
An exploration of the history, artistry, and emotional power of cinema sound, as revealed by legendary sound designers and visionary directors. Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound is Midge Costin’s directorial debut after previously working in the sound department on dozens of films including Crimson Tide and Armageddon. Making Waves is Bobette Buster’s first writing credit.
8 November
Let It Snow
Directed by: Luke Snellin
Written by: Victoria Strouse
In a small town on Christmas Eve, a snowstorm brings together a group of young people. Let It Snow is Victoria Strouse’s third feature-length screenplay. Her previous screenplay was for Finding Dory.
15 November
Last Christmas
Directed by: Paul Feig
Written by: Emma Thompson and Bryony Kimmings
Kate (Emilia Clarke) doesn’t believe in the holiday spirit – even though she’s taken a job as an elf at a department store. But when she meets Tom (Henry Golding) maybe she’ll change her mind. Emma Thompson is a producer, writer and actress who has starred in dozens of films. She’s been nominated for three Oscars ad won two including the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for Sense and Sensibility. Last Christmas is Bryony Kimmings’s first produced screenplay.
Back Roads
Directed by: Alex Pettyfer
Written by: Tawni O’Dell and Adrian Lyne
Harley (Alex Pettyfer) is stuck in the Pennsylvania backwoods caring for his three younger sisters after his mother is arrested for murdering his father. Tawni O’Dell is a novelist who has six books published and adapted her own debut novel for screen. Black Roads is her first screenplay.
21 November
The Knight Before Christmas
Directed by: Monika Mitchell
Written by: Cara J. Russell
A medieval English knight (Josh Whitehouse) is magically transported to the present day where he falls for a high school science teacher (Vanessa Hudgens) who is disillusioned by love. Monika Mitchell is a writer, producer and director with thirty directing credits to her name. The Knight Before Christmas is Cara J. Russell’s sixth produced screenplay.
22 November
Frozen II
Directed by: Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee
Written by: Alison Schroeder
Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa’s powers in order to save their kingdom. Jennifer Lee is a writer, director and producer whose previous screenplays include Wreck-It Ralph and A Wrinkle in Time and she won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year for Frozen. Frozen II is Alison Schroeder’s third feature-length screenplay, her first screenplay was Hidden Figures which earnt her an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Harriet
Directed by: Kasi Lemmons
Written by: Gregory Allen and Kasi Lemmons
Biopic about Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo) whose escape from slavery and life transformed her into one of America’s greatest heroes. Kasi Lemmons is an actress, producer and director. Harriet is her fifth feature film and she’s also directed episodes of TV shows including Luke Cage
Them That Follow
Directed by: Britt Poulton and Dan Madison Savage
Written by: Britt Poulton and Dan Madison Savage
Set deep in the wilds of Appalachia, where believers handle death-dealing snakes to prove themselves before God, a pastor’s daughter holds a secret that threatens to tear her community apart. Them That Follow is Britt Poulton’s feature film directorial debut.
Greener Grass
Directed by: Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe
Written by: Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe
Suburban soccer moms find themselves constantly competing against each other in their personal lives as their kids settle their differences on the field. Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe are both actresses, writers and directors. They’ve previously worked together on the short film The Arrival and Green Grass is their first feature film.
Here For Life
Directed by: Andrea Luka Zimmerman and Adrian Jackson
Here for Life is a feature film marking the culmination of a long collaboration between filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman and theatre-maker Adrian Jackson, a group of Londoners, and a dog. Andrea Luka Zimmerman is an artist, filmmaker and cultural activist. Here For Life is her second feature-length film and she’s previously directed ten short films.
Into The Mirror
Directed by: Lois Stevenson
Written by: Jamie Bacon and Charles Streeter
As Daniel (Jamie Bacon) tries to find where he belongs in London, his new co-worker introduces him to London’s Drag hotspot and he realises his life will never have to be the same again. Into The Mirror is Lois Stevenson’s directorial debut.
Judy & Punch
Directed by: Mirrah Foulkes
Written by: Mirrah Foulkes
Seaside (nowhere near the sea), puppeteers Judy (Mia Wasikowska) and Punch (Damon Herriman) are trying to resurrect their marionette show in an anarchic town on the brink of mob rule. Mirrah Foulkes is an actress, writer and director. Judy & Punch is her first feature film.
Ophelia
Directed by: Claire McCarthy
Written by: Semi Chellas
A re-imagining of Hamlet told from Ophelia’s perspective. Claire McCarthy is a writer, director and producer and Ophelia is her third film. Semi Chellas is a writer and a producer who has been nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards for her work on Mad Men.
29 November
Charlie’s Angels
Directed by: Elizabeth Banks
Written by: Elizabeth Banks
When a system’s engineer (Naomi Scott) blows the whistle on a dangerous technology, Charlie’s Angels are called into action. Elizabeth Banks is an actress, director and producer who has been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards. Charlie’s Angels is her first produced screenplay and her second feature film after Pitch Perfect 2.
The Nightingale
Directed by: Jennifer Kent
Written by: Jennifer Kent
Set in 1825, Clare (Aisling Franciosi), a young Irish convict woman, chases a British officer through the rugged Tasmanian wilderness, bent on revenge for a terrible act of violence he committed against her family. The Nightingale won the Special Jury Prize at last year’s Venice Film Festival and it is Jennifer Kent’s second feature film after The Babadook.
Atlantics
Directed by: Mati Dop
Written by: Mati Dop and Oliver Demangel
In a popular suburb of Dakar, workers on the construction site of a futuristic tower, without pay for months, decide to leave the country by the ocean for a better future. Among them is Souleiman (Traore), the lover of Ada (Mame Bineta Sane), promised to another. Mati Dop is an actress, director and cinematographer. Atlantics is her first feature film and she’s previously directed four short films
That’s sixteen films made by women being released in UK cinemas and on Netflix this month, that’s more than the last couple of months. As always, if you do see any of these films, we’d love to hear what you make of them.
