This is a good week for new movies dropping, primary for Hulu and theaters. First up is the streaming premiere of Ava DuVernay’s latest. “Origin” is based on Isabel Wilkerson’s “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” and follows the author’s story as she researches caste systems around the world. DuVernay couldn’t find studio backing after Netflix backed out, and so cobbled together financing from fundraising and various foundations.
DuVernay is the most famous Black woman director working today – and maybe ever. “Selma” made $66 million on a $20 million budget, saw two Oscar nominations including Best Film and a win for Best Song, and is arguably one of the biggest awards oversights in history for several other categories. Her film “13th” was a streaming hit and earned another Oscar nomination. Her series “When They See Us” was one of the most watched streaming titles of 2019.
Her only underperforming film was the $100 million “A Wrinkle in Time” in 2018. While there aren’t a ton of excuses for that, it’s hardly the only underperforming fantasy film, and its relatively lower budget for an event film meant losses were limited
Consider some films that lost far more, and their directors who were still easily able to launch other projects – Peter Berg after “Battleship”, Andrew Stanton after “John Carter”, Rupert Sanders after the live-action “Ghost in the Shell”, Ron Howard after “Solo”, Ron Howard after “In the Heart of the Sea”, Ron Howard after “The Dilemma”, Ron Howard after “The Missing”, Ron Howard after “EDtv”. Not talking about the quality of the films, some of which are great, but rather the oodles of money they lost…and the ease with which their directors could still launch new, fully financed projects, sometimes with $100 million or greater budgets.
Yet Ava DuVernay had to go outside the studio system and fundraise for a comparatively smaller $38 million budget on “Origin”, despite her repeated awards, financial success, and the film being based on a bestselling book. One minor failure – that pales in comparison to some of the greater failures that are systemically overlooked for men – couldn’t be made up by repeated success. What’s worse, the approach on “Origin” meant it barely had any marketing budget – so audiences didn’t even know to look for it. Even if it does well on streaming, it’s underperformance at the box office will only be used as evidence against DuVernay – despite her being able to launch a film theatrically and on streaming with almost no marketing budget whatsoever.
It’s incredibly frustrating to see we haven’t grown beyond this. Dozens of male directors with no renown will get their passion projects made and will be given multiple chances. I mentioned Rupert Sanders above, you know, the guy who threw both the “Snow White and the Huntsman” franchise and his family into disarray for cheating with a lead actress half his age on a film that only made a little bit of money, was subsequently offered his choice of the fifth “Pirates of the Caribbean” or the live-action “Ghost in the Shell” adaptation, chose the latter, lost studio money on it, and yet still returns this year with the $50 million “The Crow” reboot that looks like pre-owned socks in a microwave.
And yet Ava DuVernay can have a history of legitimate hits on her hands, a history of awards contention that yields increased viewership, a history of accountability with zero scandal, and can’t get $38 million from studios. It is ridiculous.
There’s no new series showrun by women this week, so let’s head straight to movies. This week’s new films by women come from France, Ireland, and the U.S.
NEW MOVIES
Origin (Hulu)
directed by Ava DuVernay
This biopic tells the story of Isabel Wilkerson, the author of “The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration” and “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents”. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal, and Niecy Nash star.
Ava DuVernay has directed two Oscar-nominated films. “Selma” was nominated as Best Picture in 2015, and “13th” for Best Documentary Feature. Despite this, DuVernay couldn’t find studio financing for her most recent film about a Pulitzer Prize-winning author of two bestsellers. Let that sink in. Instead, DuVernay financed the film through grants.
“Origin” is out on Hulu.
Rose’s War (Hulu)
co-directed by Christine Molloy
Imogen Poots stars as Rose, a debutante who rejects her upbringing to join the Irish Republican Army, a paramilitary force that sought the end of British rule in Northern Ireland. The film is based on the life of Rose Dugdale.
Christine Molloy directs the Irish film with Joe Lawlor. The pair previously directed “Rose Plays Julie” and on the series “Kin”.
This was originally titled “Baltimore” (after a village in Ireland) when it came out in theaters. I’m assuming us Americans got a bit confused, since it’s been re-titled “Rose’s War” for streaming.
“Rose’s War” is out on Hulu.
Ghostlight (in theaters)
co-directed by Kelly O’Sullivan
A construction worker takes a chance by joining the local theater’s production of Romeo and Juliet. Keeping it hidden from his family, he begins to recognize parallels between the play and his own life.
Kelly O’Sullivan writes and co-directs. She’s had smaller parts in films like “Cha Cha Real Smooth” and “Saint Frances” (which she also wrote). This is her feature directing debut, alongside “Saint Frances” director Alex Thompson.
“Ghostlight” sees a limited release tomorrow, Friday June 14.
Just the Two of Us (in theaters)
directed by Valerie Donzelli
In this French film, a woman falls head over heels for a perfect man. Before long, she realizes how toxic and possessive he is, and must escape him.
Valerie Donzelli directs. “Just the Two of Us” won Donzelli and Audrey Diwan a Cesar Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. The Cesars are equivalent to Oscars in the U.S.
Aside from this film, she also saw Cesar nominations for Best Director, Film, Original Screenplay, and Actress in 2012 for “Declaration of War”.
“Just the Two of Us” opens in limited release tomorrow, Friday June 14.
Cora Bora (in theaters)
directed by Hannah Pearl Utt
Cora fears her relationship is falling apart, so she goes home to win her girlfriend back. That’s when everything else starts falling apart as well. Megan Stalter, Chelsea Peretti, and Manny Jacinto star.
Hannah Pearl Utt directs. She also helmed “Before You Know It”.
“Cora Bora” sees a limited theatrical release tomorrow, Friday June 14.
Take a look at new shows + movies by women from past weeks.
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Gabriel Diego Valdez 