Tag: Female Writer

Female Filmmaker, Female Writer, Interviews

Exclusive Interview with Angela How, Director of “Bullied”

After watching Angela How’s hard-hitting and very real drama/thriller “Bullied” I was very keen to speak to her about the development of the film and her inspiration behind it. As a child I was subjected to bullying at school and it did have a significant impact on my overall perception of myself and my confidence. I found myself really relating to the character of Charlotte (played by the brilliant Jacinta Klassen) and I wasn’t quite aware of how much the film had impacted me until afterwards when I was coming up with the questions for How. There’s such a rawness and sense of realism, that this story could have only come from someone who had lived through the effects of bullying. In this interview below, How discusses her inspiration behind the picture, the struggles of casting and the female filmmakers who influenced her as well as her next upcoming project which sounds fascinating. Continue reading Exclusive Interview with Angela How, Director of “Bullied”

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Directors, Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, Reviews, SXSW Film Festival, Women in Film

SXSW 2021 Review: Violet

Year: 2021Runtime: 90 minutesDirector: Justine BatemanWriter: Justine BatemanCast: Olivia Munn, Justin Theroux, Luke Bracey, Dennis Boutsikaris, Erica Ash, Todd Stashwick, Bonnie Bedelia By Joan Amenn Mental health is often depicted in film as a debilitating disease, perhaps because it makes for more dramatic story telling. “Violet” (2021) takes a different look at anxiety and how it may be affecting those closest to us while we … Continue reading SXSW 2021 Review: Violet

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Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, Indie Film, Reviews

Sundance Review: “Together Together”

Year: 2021Runtime: 90 minutesWriter/Director: Nikole BeckwithStars: Ed Helms, Patti Harrison, Julio Torres By Morgan Roberts Matt (Ed Helms) wants to be a dad. He just doesn’t have a partner. So, in his quest for fatherhood and to build his own family, Matt decides to enlist the help of a surrogate. Enter Anna (Patti Harrison), a woman in her mid-twenties trying to realign her life. As … Continue reading Sundance Review: “Together Together”

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Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, Indie Film, Reviews, Women in Film

Sundance Review: “Mayday”

Year: 2021Runtime: 100 minutesWriter/Director: Karen CinorreStars: Grace Van Patten, Mia Goth, Soko, Havana Rose Líu, Theodore Pellerin, Juliette Lewis By Morgan Roberts When we are at a crossroads in life, how do we ever truly escape to be able to examine where we want to go? In “Mayday“ (2021), Ana (Grace Van Patten) is transported to another world where women rule the island and men … Continue reading Sundance Review: “Mayday”

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Documentaries, Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Film Reviews, Reviews

Sundance Review: “Film About a Father Who”

Year: 2020 Runtime: 74 minutes Director: Lynne Sachs Writer: Lynne Sachs By Joan Amenn Part of the lineup of documentaries having to do with family histories at Sundance and also shown at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York City in an exhibition of her work, Lynne Sachs’ “Film About a Father Who” (2020) is an enigma wrapped in a mystery. Like looking … Continue reading Sundance Review: “Film About a Father Who”

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Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Reviews, Short Film, Women in Film

Review: Dear Guest

Year: 2020 Runtime: 11 minutes Director: Megan Freels Johnston Writer: Megan Freels Johnston Actors: Ashley Bell, Noureen DeWulf By Joan Amenn The season of long, dark shadows can’t end now, when we have one last little gem of a scare to enjoy in “Dear Guest” (2020). Director Megan Freels Johnston concocted this quick potion of a disturbing “what if” scenario and although short, it packs … Continue reading Review: Dear Guest

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Female Filmmaker, Female Writer, Film Festivals, Film Reviews, Uncategorized, Women in Film

Kajillionaire #LFF2020Review

July’s latest, “Kajillionaire”, sees her carrying straight ahead in her now signature style, and so is not likely to change much for either party. The film tells the story of Old Dolio (Evan Rachel Wood), a twenty-something woman who lives and works with her parents (Debra Winger and Richard Jenkins) as thieves and con-artists in Los Angeles. Old Dolio has for her whole life only ever been used as a playing piece in her parents’ efforts to become rich – her name came from a homeless man who won the lottery, in a vain attempt to get some of his newfound money from him – and the closest thing to love and affection she’s ever received from her parents is the even share she gets of their con jobs. Continue reading Kajillionaire #LFF2020Review

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Female Characters, Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Film Reviews, Reviews, Women in Film

Review: The Devil to Pay

“The Devil to Pay” has been getting a lot of positive buzz, and deservedly so. It has been described as a thriller and a kind of Southern Gothic horror. While it is true these elements combine to make an engrossing story, the heart of the film is a mother’s love for her son. Lemon (Danielle Deadwyler) and her son Coy, (Ezra Haslam) are living a difficult, backbreaking life in the Appalachians. It is one of the poorest regions of America and also one of the most isolated. Lemon awaits the return of her husband who has left on an errand for a local matriarch of a powerful family who invokes a “creed” to maintain power under the pretense of keeping law and order. Lemon has never paid any mind to how her society shaped her life until she has to take action to protect her son. The love between them is the most believable, touching part of the film and little Ezra Haslam deserves a special shoutout for his portrayal. Continue reading Review: The Devil to Pay

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