Just in case you haven’t already heard about it, there’s a project currently taking place on Twitter called #52FilmsByWomen where you pledge to watch one film a week directed by a woman. That’s not too tough of a challenge in a media landscape where the female voices seem to dwindle rather than shine, and as an audience and as fans the way to lend our voices to the fight is by watching and supporting.
While we’re already a month into the year playing some catch-up never hurts, so here are 52 films directed by women to help get you started. They hardly touch the surface of the history of women in cinema and for the most part I’ve kept the choices mostly modern, but there’s no need to stop here. Seek out Lotte Reiniger’s 1926 animated masterpiece The Adventures of Prince Achmed or anything by Alice Guy Blaché who is regarded as a pioneer, the first documented female director. There is such a wealth of stories awaiting you if you choose to seek them out, whether they be on streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu or Amazon, available elsewhere on the public domain, on VOD, available to purchase or in theaters, they’re there. Spend 2016 not only getting to educate yourselves on female directors and storytellers but also supporting an easy and fun project that helps celebrate female voices.
For some recommendations for films directed by women of color go here.
For more about the project go here.
To read about someone who only watched films directed by women in 2015 and their experiences, go here.
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Little Women (1994) Gillian Armstrong
Jo March is a character whom I’ve resonated with since I was very little and have only grown to appreciate the character and her resolve all the more as I’ve grown. Emotionally satisfying and beautiful in its depiction of sisters and their relationships as the grow, Little Women is a soaring look and just how much women can achieve with their minds and hearts.
Beyond the Lights (2014) Gina Prince-Bythewood
It might seem like it’s too soon to call the film and instant classic but it certainly wouldn’t be far fetched. Criminally under seen in 2014 and directed by one of my personal favorite directors (check out Love & Basketball too!) Beyond the Lights is a film that will leave you speechless at it’s end as you’ll be totally and completely swept up not only in the romance (which is superb) but also Noni’s (Gugu Mbatha-Raw, excellent) personal struggle then triumph in finding her true voice.
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A League of Their Own (1992) Penny Marshall
Easily digestible with a feel good atmosphere, the entire ensemble cast is delightful as we watch women get the chance to excel at a sport that for too long was thought of as a mans game.
Girlhood (2015) Celine Sciamma
Exhilarating and ambitious, Celine Sciamma created yet another film about sexuality and gender roles that question the status quo. Make sure to check out Tomboy as well if you’re a fan.
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Saving Face (2005) Alice Wu
A sweet and moving romantic between two women as well as an introspective look at families and tradition, Alice Wu created a new perfect romantic comedy.
The Hurt Locker (2009) Kathryn Bigelow
Kathryn Bigelow has an exciting filmography but The Hurt Locker is the culmination of her work so far. Terse, anxiety ridden and proving to be Jeremy Renner’s breakout, The Hurt Locker is just another highlight in the directors career.
Selma (2014) Ava DuVernay
Proving herself not only to be an integral voice in film but also a versatile one, Ava DuVernay’s Selma felt excitingly fresh, offering up a film with biopic workings that ultimately upended typical cliches and perfectly captured a movement and a moment, rather than a single man.
Advantageous (2015) Jennifer Phang
One of the most underrated films of 2015, Advantageous is a feminist science fiction film that proves female directors deserve the chance to take the helm of genre projects.
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) Ana Lily Amirpour
If there’s a filmmaker who has broke out in a BIG way in the past few years it’s Ana Lily Amirpour, whose Western, black and white, vampire film made quiet waves. If you’re looking for a film that is visually distinct, you’d be hard pressed to find a more inventive film.
Persepolis (2007) Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud
At times hilarious and others heartbreaking the political animated film is a coming of age must watch with a punk rock edge.
The Babadook (2014) Jennifer Kent
Terrifying and nightmarish while also being an allegorical look at motherhood and womanhood, The Babadook is a ghost story meant to stir up fright while also asking more about what he monster under the bed is and what it represents.
The Secret Garden (1995) Agnieszka Holland
One of the first films I can vividly recall seeing, it’s magical whimsy mixed with an air of something gothic. Based on the famous novel, the film is great for all ages.
Whale Rider (2003) Niki Caro
Empowering and sporting a deafening theme about the significance of giving girls the same chances as boys, the folktake like film is subversive and moving, with a knockout performance from a young Keisha Castle-Hughes.
Le Bonheur (1966) Agnes Varda
There’s a reason why this one makes the list and I left Cleo from 5 to 7 off, which all comes down to Le Bonheur’s masterful use of expression through color. The oranges and yellows leap from the page in this slight satirical look at romance with it’s vibrancy muting the edge, leading to a compelling experience unlike most.
An Angel at My Table (1990) Jane Campion
A filmmaker who should be considered unquestionably as one of the greats, Jane Campion’s 1990 film An Angel at my Table is a delicate look at a woman dealing with overwhelming persecution in an age where mental illness was misunderstood and emotions of women greater scrutinized.
Bright Star (2009) Jane Campion
Campion is the only director to appear twice on this list and it’s simply because there was no way I wasn’t including Bright Star on the list. It’s an absolute much watch with two of my favorite performances I’ve ever watched in Abbi Cornish and Ben Whishaw as lovers Fanny Brawne and John Keats. Lyrical in it’s composition with some of the most tangible photography I’ve seen in a film, Bright Star is a stunning and artistic piece of work from start to finish.
Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) Susan Seidelman
Riotous, quintessentially 80’s and co-starring a young Aidan Quinn, the Madonna starring film is a must see for those looking for something offbeat.
Night Catches Us (2010) Tanya Hamilton
Quiet and meditative, Anthony Mackie shines in this looks at race relations and the double standards implemented.
Belle (2014) Amma Asante
I adore period films it’s films such as Belle that prove why women’s voices should be endlessly cherished in the medium. If this had been a Joe Wright picture it would have made much more noise than it did.
In Between Days (2007) So Yong Kim
Sad in a way that’s honest and raw, in a hard to watch self-reflective manner, In Between Days depicts the would be romances that sting when we’re young and the dreary days spent waiting for something to happen. Watch for So Yong Kim’s latest that just premiered at Sundance Lovesong.
Unbroken (2014) Angelina Jolie
A little more than a year since I’ve seen the film in theaters and I think Angelina Jolie’s second feature may have met an unfairly harsh reception. It was nothing groundbreaking but there was a classical air to the film and she brings out a star making performance from Jack O’Connell.
Appropriate Behavior (2015) Desiree Akhavan
Abrasively funny and fresh faced, Appropriate Behavior opened the 2015 year with some quiet notice.
Pariah (2011) Dee Rees
An overlooked gem of a film that faces sexual and gender fluidity with open arms, Dee Rees created a film that is sympathetic to all of it’s characters and that is unforgiving of the young lead woman’s plight.
Your Sister’s Sister (2012) Lynn Shelton
Lynn Shelton creates stories with effortless humor and warm relationship drama. Watch this film for the strong turns by Rosemarie DeWitt, Emily Blunt and Mark Duplass.
Goodbye First Love (2012) Mia Hansen-Love
Young, first love is so often romanticized that it was a nice change of pace to see it be portrayed as debilitating and painful, with the young girl being emotionally manipulated by her older boyfriend. Tough to anyone whose experienced the woes of all consuming first love, the film is a gorgeously filmed and emotionally wrought coming of age film. Also, Eden came out last year and is just as excellent and worth the watch.
Paris is Burning (1990) Jennie Livingston
Powerful documentary filmmaking at it’s finest about a topic that is equal parts emotional as it is insightful.
Mustang (2015) Deniz Gamze Erguven
I cannot say enough good things about this film. Portraying sister relationships with pitch perfect accuracy and a third act that is astonishingly evocative, the film isn’t just my favorite of 2015 but also one of the best of the last few years.
Lost in Translation (2003) Sofia Coppola
She may not be to everyone’s taste but Lost in Translation so beautifully captures loneliness and the odd connections that can generate between strangers.
Clueless (1995) Amy Heckerling
Quintessential 90’s teen movie but with female characters who are allowed to control their own agency. Vibrant, clever with a cast of charming performers, it’s a film I wish I’d seen when I was a teen.
Walking and Talking (1996) Nicole Holofcener
I like to consider myself as a connoisseur of movies about the bonds between women because boy is it important to see. So often women are at each other’s throats in film, if they’re actually allowed to share a screen, and Nicole Holofcener has made a career off of showcasing relationships between women.
Mansfield Park (1999) Patricia Rozema
I mentioned that I loved period films and Mansfield Park and this one has yet another kick ass woman at the lead.
Something New (2006) Sanaa Hamn
I will recommend any romantic comedy with Sanaa Lathan.
Kiss Me (2011) Alexandra-Therese Keining
A little seen Swedish romance, Kiss Me came to me one late February night last year when I was compiling my annual Valentines list for the website. Sweet and unassuming with gorgeous cinematography, make sure to check this one out on Netflix.
Bend it Like Beckham (2003) Gurinder Chadha
I wish I had seen this when this came out. I think 11 year old me would have adored this film and it’s overall message of overcoming adversary and expectations to live the life you want and do what you love.
Obvious Child (2014) Gillian Robespierre
While many celebrate this film because of it’s positive, forward thinking stance on abortion, it’s also worth celebrating because of how great of a romantic comedy it was. Jenny Slate get’s her breakout turn as a character so fleshed out and wonderful that you’d wish she was your best friend.
A New Leaf (1971) Elaine May
Elaine May is a legend and A New Leaf about a spoiled and selfish man who falls for a bookish and spirited young woman.
The Ascent (1977) Larisa Shepitko
Currently available on Hulu, The Ascent is a gripping World War II drama about men stuck in a perilous situation.
Wadjda (2013) Haiffa Al-Mansour
One of the films that truly turned me onto seeking out and embracing films with both a female narrative and a female vision backing it, Wadjda tells the tale of a willful young girl who wants the allowance for something many children think of as a guarantee-the ability, the chance, to ride a bike alongside her male peers.
An Education (2009) Lone Soherfig
Serving as Carey Mulligan’s breakout, An Education isn’t a perfect film but on top of hosting a terrific lineup of performances it also is clever, heartbreaking and never acts as if Peter Sarsgaard’s character David is anything more than a creep.
Wanda (1971) Barbara Loden
Barbara Loden stars and directs in this stunner playing a drifter while also commenting on expectations women face especially the rules placed on them on how they age.
Gas Food Lodging (1992) Allison Anders
A great movie about sisters and the relationships between mothers and daughters. The emotional impact will creep up on you.
Eves Bayou (1996) Kasi Lemmons
Integral for viewers looking to educated themselves on women in film with a stacked cast, Eves Bayou is an underrated classic.
Orlando (1992) Sally Potter
Unlike any film I saw in the past year, Sally Potter embraced Tilda Swinton’s androgynous nature before anyone else and created a film that’s beautiful to look at, deeply contemplative and quietly soaring.
Just Another Girl On the I.R.T (1993) Leslie Harris
Lively, fresh and enthusiastic, the film is a nod to youthfulness as a girl struggles with hiding a pregnancy.
Monsoon Wedding (2002) Mira Nair
Mira Nair is another director who should without question be a must-see director, and this her most universally popular film.
Jeane Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce (1975) Chantal Akerman
When you take the moment to look close enough you realize how women filmmakers have helped define the cinematic film experience and Chantal Akerman was a innovative voice in independent filmmaking.
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