Check out these 10 Women-Led films that offer insight into the issues women face on a daily basis to help celebrate Women’s History Month.
Every March marks Women’s History Month, and every year the fight for women’s rights becomes more and more crucial.
10 Women-Led Films
Stories by female filmmakers around the world give insight into the many issues women face on a daily basis, while also providing us well-needed entertainment and an escape from our reality. The list is endless when it comes to stellar films directed, written, produced by and starring women, but here is just a small selection of some of our favorites to enjoy all month long.
“The Farewell,” directed by Lulu Wang
Where to watch: Prime Video, Google Play, Hulu, Showtime, YouTube
Lulu Wang touched the hearts of so many in 2019 with her film “The Farewell,” starring Awkwafina. A Chinese family discovers their matriarch has a short time left to live, but decides to keep the secret from her and instead pretend that everything is OK. The film brought heart, soul and laughter into almost every scene, and it was led by the brilliant Awkwafina, who many immigrant children could relate to.
“Lady Bird,” directed by Greta Gerwig
Where to watch: Netflix, Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube (“Lady Bird”); Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Google Play, YouTube (“Little Women”)
There have been plenty of coming of age films in recent years, but Greta Gerwig’s charming “Lady Bird” is one that people can watch any time. “Lady Bird”/Christine (Saoirse Ronan) goes through the struggles of senior year of high school, applying for college, dating, fighting with her mom (Laurie Metcalf), losing and gaining friends and trying to find herself in 2002. It’s a film that has resonated with many for its true and heartwarming storytelling, not to mention the dynamite performances from Ronan and Metcalf.
“The Watermelon Woman,” directed by Cheryl Dunye
Where to watch: Showtime
“The Watermelon Woman” stands out in a number of ways. Cheryl Dunye, a Black lesbian video store worker, is trying to film a documentary on a Black actress who played “mammy” roles in films and was only credited as “The Watermelon Woman.” The more she learns about the actress, named Fae Richards, the more questions pop up surrounding Richards’ life and sexuality. Cheryl also struggles with a new relationship and a coworker’s disapproval of it. Even though the 1990s vibes might make you cringe at times, the film is one to watch as it’s the first feature by a Black lesbian, according to Out On Screen. “The Watermelon Woman,” Dunye’s feature directorial debut, made her a filmmaker to watch, and she’s been delivering ever since.
“Homecoming,” directed by Beyoncé and Ed Burke
Where to watch: Netflix
Beyoncé is, in a word, iconic, and her performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival was nothing short of extraordinary. “Homecoming” follows the singer’s journey as the first Black woman to headline the festival and how she strived to create a show that would tribute HBCUs and Black women around her. We also gain insight into her difficult second pregnancy with twins Sir and Rumi and the strength she had to put on this massive show.
“The Piano,” directed by Jane Campion
Where to watch: Hulu, Showtime, YouTube
“The Piano” is a quiet and haunting story from the mind of Jane Campion that one can return to time and time again. Ada (Holly Hunter) and her young daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin), arrive on a stormy beach, waiting to meet the man Ada will marry. Ada is mute and communicates through her piano and sign language, but is forced to leave behind her beloved instrument. She later finds herself in a love affair that is so masterfully written and captured by Campion. “The Piano” earned Campion her first best director Oscar nomination and a win for best screenplay at the 1994 Academy Awards.
“Turning Red,” directed by Domee Shi
Where to watch: Coming to Disney+ March 11
An all-female creative team is behind the latest Pixar film, “Turning Red,” which some critics online are saying is one of the best coming-of-age films in recent years. The animated film follows Meilin Lee, a 13-year-old Chinese Canadian girl, whose life is turned upside down when she begins to turn into a red panda whenever she gets excited. Not only is there Asian representation on screen and in the cast, but director and Oscar winner Domee Shi is also the first woman of color to direct a Pixar movie.
“Bend It Like Beckham,” directed by Gurinder Chadha
Where to watch: Prime Video, HBO Max, Google Play, YouTube
Gurinder Chadha brings so much love and laughter into “Bend It Like Beckham.” The film follows Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), a young English-born Indian woman whose parents don’t allow her to play soccer. Instead, they expect her to find a good Indian man to marry. But there’s no stopping Jess with her passion, and when she meets Jules Paxton (Keira Knightley), who convinces Jess to play for her semi-pro team, it makes it even harder for her to stop. So many moments will make you feel good and laugh out loud, while Chadha also captures inner conflicts among families and cultures.
“Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” directed by Céline Sciamma
Where to watch: Prime Video, Hulu, Google Play, YouTube
Young painter Marianne (Noémie Merlant) is assigned to paint Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) before she gets married. The only problem is Héloïse has previously refused to pose for the portrait, symbolic for how she does not want to marry. Marianne is tasked with painting the portrait in secret, having to remember Héloïse’s features during their daily walks. But each day the two women become closer, which makes painting the portrait even harder, knowing that its completion means Héloïse loses her freedom, while Marianne loses her as well. Merlant and Haenel deliver stellar performances, while Céline Sciamma’s storytelling is mesmerizing.
“Yentl,” directed by Barbra Streisand
Where to watch: Prime Video, Google Play, Tubi, YouTube
Barbra Streisand directed, produced, starred in and wrote the grand romantic musical drama “Yentl.” Yentl (Streisand) lives in an Ashkenazi shtetl in Poland in the early 1900s. Her father, Rebbe Mendel (Nehemiah Persoff), teaches young boys the Talmud, a sacred text of Judaism, and while girls are forbidden from learning it, he also teaches his daughter behind closed doors. When her father dies, Yentl wants to learn more about her faith, so she decides to go undercover as a boy and enroll in religious school. Streisand made history as the first woman to win best director at the Golden Globes in 1984.
“Clueless,” directed by Amy Heckerling
Where to watch: Prime Video, HBO Max, Google Play
You thought we wouldn’t include “Clueless” on this list? As if! The iconic 1990s film, directed by Amy Heckerling, is one that audiences go back to, even if there are a few plot points that are questionable. Alicia Silverstone nails it as Cher, the rich, popular girl at school who plays matchmaker and gives one of her classmates a makeover. Even though she thinks she’s doing good deeds, she later realizes how selfish she can be.