Every month our writers will be submitting their fave films directed by women, one for every week of the year! Have any suggestions? Tweet us @The_Nopebook with the hashtag #52FilmsbyWomen or email our Screen Queen at [email protected]
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Whip It (2009) - Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut Whip It is a story of self-discovery and inner-strength… on roller skates. Starring Ellen Page as the protagonist Bliss Cavendar, the story follows the professionally underwhelmed Bliss, who is sick of small town beauty pageants and wants something more in her life. One thing leads to another and she joins the Hurl Scouts, the local roller derby team.
Drew Barrymore, Ellen Page, Andrew Wilson, Zoë Bell, Eve, and Kristen Wiig in Whip It (2009)
As you would expect this does not go down to well with her family and tensions start to rise; it’s kind of like Footloose, with wheels. Sure, it’s not ground-breaking, but not every film needs to be. There is enough warmth, humour and emotions to hit all the right marks in this coming of age tale. Fair warning, if you do watch it too many times you may want to start your own derby girl-gang.
Lost in Translation (2003) - Sofia Coppola
Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation is a story of a friendship between dried-up, ageing actor Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansen), who is disillusioned with her marriage of two years with photographer John (Giovanni Ribisi). In need of cash, Bob is shooting a Whiskey commercial in Tokyo, where John is on assignment, leaving Charlotte to her own devices most of the time.
Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation (2003)
The unlikely duo strike up a friendship, born from a combination of loneliness and culture shock. While being stylistically stunning, this film is a beautiful contradiction, with comedic melancholy and unromantic romance, it truly resonates with the dissatisfied souls of today.
But I’m a Cheerleader (1999) - Jamie Babbit
But I’m a Cheerleader is a classic of lesbian cinema, the critics might not have exactly got it but it is beloved by generations of queer women (actually Autostraddle rated it the best lesbian movie of all time). The film follows Megan Bloomfield (Natasha Lyonne) a high school cheerleader who is sent away by her parents for a course of conversion therapy to rid her of her burgeoning lesbianism. Despite this grim subject matter, But I’m a Cheerleader manages to be charming, campy and surprisingly hilarious.
At True Directions, the conversion therapy camp, Megan, under the mentorship of camp founder Mary Brown (Cathy Moriarty) and ex-gay Mike (RuPaul Charles), participates in a five step programme designed to rid her of homosexual urges. Of course not all goes to plan because at camp she meets Graham (Clea DuVall), a crush worthy lesbian heartthrob who both Megan and viewers inevitably fall for.
Ratcatcher (1999) - Lynne Ramsey
Lynne Ramsey is a intricate director who slices to the beating heart of emotions, particularly pushed to its extremities. In movies such as We Need to Talk About Kevin and Morvern Caller, the boundaries of the human condition are explored provocatively. The Scottish director’s first feature Ratcatcher established her style as hauntingly visual and brilliantly bleak.
William Eadie in Ratcatcher (1999)
The story revolves around an impoverished young boy trying to come to terms with the sudden drowning of his best friend. Finding solace in an abused young woman, their unlikely companionship gives him respite from his alcoholic father and desolate surroundings. Ratcatcher is a beautifully poignant tale yet is a hard-hitting watch about pitiful folk trying to survive whilst earning for something more.
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) - Jane Goldman
Funny, thrilling and beautifully British, Kingsman: The Secret Service is a fast-paced romp following ‘Eggsy’ (Taron Egerton) and his induction into Kingsman, an “independent international intelligence agency”. With Michael Cain at the helm, Mark Strong and Colin Firth in the trenches, and Samuel L Jackson on an evil genius-style mission to cull the population for the good of humanity, this star-packed spy film has enough laughs, gasps and ‘oh, snap!’ moments to keep you glued to your seat for it’s entire two hour run time.
Taron Egerton, Mark Strong and Colin Firth in Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
A far cry from Britain’s other, less progressive spy franchise, Kingsman: The Secret Service includes an intelligent (if a little deviant at times) working-class lead, a fiercely capable (more so than many of her male counterparts) young woman in the spy game, and a henchwoman who’s turned her disability into her greatest asset. This film tells an unpredictable and unconventional spy story that isn’t afraid to poke a little fun at itself.
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This month’s contributors in order of appearance: Catherine Charlwood, H Beverley, Sarah Cook and Becki Jayne Crossley.
