By Tom Moore and Valerie Kalfrin
This coming March is not only special for International Women’s Day being on March 8th, but also for the robust lineup of female-directed films releasing during the month. It’s probably the biggest offering of films directed by women we’ve seen and there are a whole bunch of films hitting streaming, theaters, and VOD that are worth checking out. From experimental horror flicks to some great indie dramas with Sundance prestige, there’s something for nearly every kind of genre fan. Regardless of how or where you like to watch your movies, March offers plenty of female-directed films to watch.
– “Spoonful of Sugar” – Directed by Mercedes Bryce Morgan, the film showcases some hallucinatory horrors after babysitter Millicent (Morgan Saylor) finds herself in a trippy nightmare after treating a sickly child with LSD and discovering dark secrets about their family. The film streams on Shudder starting March 2nd.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzRL67TjKyw&t
– “Palm Trees and Power Lines” – Directed by Jamie Dack, the film follows a teenager (Lily McInerny) who has a life-changing encounter with a man (Jonathan Tucker) that’s twice her age. The film premiered at Sundance back in 2022 where Dack received awards for directing, editing, and writing. The film has also received rave reviews from our very own Morgan Roberts, who saw it at Sundance, and Valerie Kalfrin. “Palm Trees and Power Lines” releases in theaters and VOD on March 3rd.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjZBbEkpaGE&t
–“Love at First Kiss” – Directed by Alauda Ruiz de Azua, the film follows Javier (Alvaro Cervantes), a man who can see the future of his relationships after the first kiss and finds that his perfect match is his best friend’s girlfriend. The film hits Netflix on March 3rd.
–“Unseen” – Directed by Yoko Okumura, the film sees ordinary store clerk Sam (Jolene Purdy) become the eyes for a nearly blind woman named Emily (Midori Francis) who’s on the run from her murderous ex. The film is the newest horror concoction under the Blumhouse banner and is set to hit VOD on March 7th before heading to MGM+ on May 19th.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehPDRyKeJ4U
–“Faraway” – Directed by Vanessa Jopp, the film follows a woman who inherits a house on a Croatian island who regains her spark for life and a new love interest after going on this once in a lifetime journey. The film releases on Netflix March 8th.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2stkk0yy0ao
– “The Magician’s Elephant” – Directed by Wendy Rogers, the film is an animated tale following Peter (voiced by Noah Jupe) as he searches for his missing sister with the help of a magicians’ elephant. This magical adventure will release on Netflix March 17th.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvNuYOR7b4w
– “Rodeo” – Directed by Lola Quivoron, the film follows a young woman as she attempts to make her passion for dirt-bike riding a reality as she meets a daredevil crew of riders. The film had its world premiere at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and releases in theaters on March 17th.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1JxfHr5jZ4
– “Perfect Addiction” – Directed by Castille Landon, the film follows MMA trainer Sienna (Kiana Madeira) as she attempts to find a strong enough fighter to dethrone her ex-boyfriend Jax (Matthew Noszka) after he cheats on her with her sister. This film about fighting and a growing love triangle comes to theaters on March 27th.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FibtBUxV9hY
– No Family Without Blood — mystery/thriller written by Karmyn Jones (longtime producer). Stars Philip Michael Thomas (the original Tubbs from “Miami Vice”) and Chance the Rapper. (March 3)
– Please Baby Please — musical drama described as “a campy, sexual thrill ride.” Directed by Amanda Kramer. Stars Andrea Riseborough, Harry Melling, and Demi Moore. (March 3)
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPpV3zvMC_Q
– The Year Between — Drama about a woman who comes home to live in her family’s basement after dropping out of college with a newly diagnosed mental illness. Stars Steve Buscemi, J. Smith-Cameron, and Wyatt Oleff. Written and directed by Alex Heller. March 3.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkotowXlewc
-Saturday Afternoon — dramatic thriller about a terrorist attack in Bangladesh that “unravels the clashes and contradictions” of religion and ideology. Directed by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. March 10.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUT9AHs1n5Y
-The Lake — Child brings home a strange egg that hatches a monster that kills everyone in town. Directed by Lee Thongkham and Aqing Xu. March 14
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uux_6u-q1Rg
–A Snowy Day in Oakland — Comedy and “magical urban tale” about a psychologist who leaves San Francisco to open her own practice on a small commercial block in Oakland, turning the neighborhood on its ear. Written and directed by Kim Bass. Stars Nicole Ari Parker. March 17
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waZoqDAaVGU
–Soft — drama about three adolescent friends involved in the queer scene over summer break before a missing persons case draws them back together. Directed by Joseph Amenta. March 24.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxYWkxpxVpU
–Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV — Director Amanda Kim’s documentary about the 20th-century Asian artist who “revolutionized the use of technology as an artistic canvas and prophesied both fascist tendencies and intercultural understanding” from this medium. March 24.
–The Worst Ones — Dramatic comedy about teens from the same neighborhood selected to act in a feature film one summer. Directed by Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret. March 24.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2cOtwPfO0w
–Rye Lane — romantic comedy/drama about two youths reeling from bad breakups who connect over a day in South London. Directed by Raine Allen Miller. March 31.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7doNpDoLn4c
Also of note:
–Full Time — Laure Calamy stars in this drama about a woman who finally lands an interview for a job where she can raise her children better, only to encounter a national transit strike. Directed by Eric Gravel. March 14.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVJp_I1pYv0
–Wildflower — coming-of-age film that follows a young woman from birth to graduation, navigating life with one parent who has intellectual disabilities and a contentious extended family. Directed by Matt Smukler. Co-stars Alexandra Daddario and Jean Smart. March 17.
In Their Own League 