So as it's a rainy Tuesday and the sun has finally gone in - it's time to share some of our favourite female-directed films to curl up/hide behind the sofa with.
Check them out below:
“American Psycho” (Mary Harron, 2000)
There's something so badass about this iconic slasher being directed directed by the wonderful Mary Harron. In it, she did something it feels like only she could do: find subtlety in the sensationalism of Bret Easton Ellis’ novel about the wealthy murderer Patrick Bateman. Harron is adept at creating scenes that can demonstrate the worst of human behaviour in a way that really speaks about society. She shows with both delicacy and directness that life demands that we “perform” who we are — or, at least, who we think we are. And, crucially, what can happen when we lose control.
Bend It Like Beckham (2002)
Gurinder Chadha has been making films that delight and make us warm and fuzzy since we can remember. There was something so special about this one though. Although many of her films seem like simple quirky comedies about Indian women, they actually address many social and emotional issues, especially ones faced by both women and immigrants caught between two worlds. She manages to balance something so light-hearted, without taking away the considerable substance in terms of values, attitudes and love we show to each other.
We Need To Talk About Kevin - (2011)
Lynne Ramsay is renowned as one of the best female directors of our generation. This, her best-known work to date, explores the complicated relationship between Eva (Tilda Swinton) and her psychopathic son Kevin (Ezra Miller). Throughout a dark connection between the two is established through her incredible use of mise-en-scene and sound. It’s a worrying, thrilling and disorientating experience - one you really won't forget.
Winter’s Bone (2010)
Far more than just Jennifer Lawrence’s breakout role — though it certainly did that job well — Debra Granik’s modern noir is a great watch. It looks at the survival instincts in the lower classes of America in a way no other film has of late. The film revolves around a despondent teenager whose father vanishes after selling their house as jail bond. While serving as a surrogate mother for her two younger siblings, Ree begins an investigation into her father’s whereabouts. One of our favourite things about it is Ree’s willingness to stand strong against the powerful men who confront her and her defiance in the face of a world that seems against her in so many ways.
Paris Is Burning (1990)
Jennie Livingston’s smash hit documentary is a smash hit in the indie documentary world. Not without controversy, the film introduced the drag queens and transgender women who populated New York City’s drag-ball scene to 1990's New York and the world. Love Drag race? Then this is just the documentary for you. Its energy is electric, and so are it's subjected. Not only is their bravery and self-expression so inspiring, but is a great place to start to understand further the gender politics that are still so important today.
Comments