These have been difficult times due to the COVID-19 pandemic that we are facing. The bright side of the situation is that we are spending more time at home, which means that we have more time on our hands to consume and appreciate culture, art, audiovisual media. Based upon this premise this article brings some Netflix suggestions, directed by women.
According to data collected by the Center for the Study of Women in Television & Film, in 2016 only 8% of the 250 most prominent films were directed by women, and it is not for lack of options.
Every year in the United States, 50% of film graduates are women, but only 1.9% of them have a chance to direct a film on a large budget. Therefore, there are lots of skilled labour available just waiting for an opportunity to get a position behind the cameras.
Watching and praising female productions is a way to encourage the participation of women in the audiovisual. It is also a way to contribute and incentive the market to be more and more open to gender equality when it comes to cinema.
With that in mind, here is a list with some titles, including films and documentaries, which were directed by women and are available to watch on Netflix.
Take some popcorn, sit back and enjoy. These stories have many teachings and questions for us to reflect on.
1. Period. End of sentence – directed by Rayka Zehtabchi
In some parts of India, menstruation is synonymous with disease and hindrance for girls to enter sacred churches and temples. This is the location of the documentary, which earned director Rayka Zehtabchi the Oscar for the best short documentary in 2019. Talking about menstruation there is a huge taboo and, therefore, absorbents and ways for women to take care of your intimate hygiene during your menstrual period were never developed. Zehtabchi and his team go to the district of Harpur, 60 kilometres from the country’s capital, New Delhi, to empower women by changing this reality.
2. Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé – directed by Beyoncé
Directed by Beyoncé herself, this documentary shows the singer’s entire trajectory in her rehearsals and planning for her performance at the American music festival Coachella in 2018. Homecoming brings images of the show, interviews, backstage scenes and even rehearsals. The singer also proposes reflections on black culture and motherhood. After all, she performed while recovering from her twin pregnancy.
3. Always be my maybe – directed by Nahnatchka Khan
Nahnatchka Khan is an American screenwriter and producer. The film Always be my maybe was her first job as a producer. The romantic comedy film is a Netflix original and tells the story of Sasha (Ali Wong) and Marcus (Randall Park), best friends during childhood. At the end of high school, they have a sexual relationship that ends up putting their friendship in check. 15 years later, they meet again when Sasha – a successful chef – opens a restaurant in their hometown, finding Marcus still living with his father. The two friends get closer and will have to deal with some unresolved issues.
4.Feminists, what were they thinking? – Directed by Johanna Demetrakas
The 70s were marked by feminist demonstrations and the photographer Cynthia MacAdams immortalized several of these moments. Almost 50 years later, director Johanna Demetrakas proposes to revisit the album of these photographs with contemporary women in Feminists: What They Were Thinking? Thus, the documentary is a reflection of the dimensions of one of the first feminist manifestations in history. In addition, the interviewees discuss what it is to be a woman nowadays, leaving behind social standards imposed on women since childhood.
5.Dumplin – directed by Anne Fletcher
Anne Fletcher directs the Netflix comedy Dumplin, a story about Willowdean Dickson, (Danielle Macdonald), an overweight girl and the daughter of a former beauty pageant Rosie (Jennifer Aniston). Although Will doesn’t care much about his weight, his appearance has always been at the forefront of his relationship with his mother. Everything changes when, as a form of protest, Will decides to engage in a beauty contest to question the standards imposed by society.
Have you watched any of those? If so, how was the experience? Tell us in the comments section (at the end of the page).
And if you haven’t watched any of them, which one you would like to see first?
