July 2022 Film Preview

The Supreme Court’s decision in Roe vs. Wade was a stark reminder of the fact that freedom and bodily autonomy cannot be won and that basic human rights are still being protected. We’re feeling rage, despair, heartbreak, and everything in between. Whether you’re looking for entertainment as a means to escape to another world or to see the struggles of this one reflected back to you, July has a whole host of films by and about women — their joys, pain, triumphs, and tragedies — that fit the bill.

At the intersection of women and religion we have Nathalie Álvarez Mesén’s “Clara Sola” (July 1) and Anita Rocha da Silveira’s “Medusa” (July 29). The first tells the story Clara, a woman in her 40s that feels oppressed in her religious home and is under the control of her mother. Clara, Clara’s niece, starts her own journey toward self-discovery. Mariana, her friends, and their children sing gospel songs in bubble-gum pink during the day and patrol the streets looking for sinners at night. Mariana is scarred, unemployed and has a new outlook on her community after an attack goes wrong.

July 15th will see the publication of both an adaptation and a new bestseller of a classic book. Based on Delia Owens’ book of the same name, “Where the Crawdads Sing” finds “Normal People’s” Daisy Edgar-Jones at the center of a murder mystery. Theater director Carrie Cracknell is making her film debut with Dakota Johnson-starrer “Persuasion,” a romance based on Jane Austen’s final novel.

Like “Persuasion,” “Both Sides of the Blade” (July 8) tackles a love triangle. Clare Denis’ latest stars Juliette Binoche as a woman torn between her current partner and an ex.

Thrills and chills can be found with Jenna Cato Bass’ “Good Madam” (July 14), a story about a single mom who moves in with her estranged mother, a live-in domestic worker with a mysterious boss, and Charlotte Colbert’s “She Will” (July 15), a portrait of a fading movie star who is granted powers to enact revenge within her dreams.

July’s doc standouts include Sara Dosa’s Sundance hit “Fire of Love” (July 6), the love story of two French volcanologists, and Betsy West and Julie Cohen’s “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down” (July 15), which follows the former congresswoman one decade after an assassination attempt on her life as she struggles with partial paralysis, a language impairment known as aphasia, and a country that values gun rights above her right to life.

A newly restored version of “Alma’s Rainbow” lands in theaters July 29. Ayoka Chénira, one the first African Americans to teach film production at higher education and among the first African American women animators in the field, wrote, directed, produced and directed the Brooklyn-set story about a teenager and her aunt. It explores beauty standards as well as self-image.

Here are the debuting films this month that are women-centric, women directed, and women written. Unless otherwise noted all descriptions are from press materials.

July 1

“Clara Sola” – Directed by Nathalie Álvarez Mesén; Written by Nathalie Álvarez Mesén and Maria Camila Arias (In Theaters)

In a remote village in Costa Rica, 40-year-old Clara (Wendy Chinchilla Araya) endures a repressively religious and withdrawn life under the command of her mother (Flor María Vargas Chavez). Clara finds solace in the natural world because of her uncanny ability to connect with all creatures, large and small. Tension builds within the family as Clara’s younger niece (Ana Julia Porras Espinoza) approaches her quinceañera, igniting a sexual and mystical awakening in Clara, and a journey to free herself from the conventions that have dominated her life.

“Mr. Malcolm’s List” – Directed by Emma Holly Jones; Written by Suzanne Allain (In Theaters) 

When she fails to meet an item on his list of requirements for a bride, Julia Thistlewaite (Zawe Ashton) is jilted by London’s most eligible bachelor, Mr. Malcolm (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù). Infuriated and determined to get revenge, she convinces Selina Dalton (Freida Pito) to play the role. Soon, Mr. Malcolm wonders whether he’s found the perfect woman or the perfect hoax. 

“Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song” (Documentary) – Directed by Dayna Goldfine and Dan Geller (In Theaters) 

The definitive exploration of singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen as seen through the prism of his internationally renowned hymn, “Hallelujah.” This feature-length documentary weaves together three creative strands — the songwriter and his times; the song’s dramatic journey from record label reject to chart-topping hit; and moving testimonies from major recording artists for whom “Hallelujah” has become a personal touchstone. Approved for production by Leonard Cohen just before his 80th birthday in 2014, the film accesses a wealth of never-before-seen archival materials from the Cohen Trust, including Cohen’s personal notebooks, journals, and photographs, performance footage, and extremely rare audio recordings and interviews. Featuring Cohen, Jeff Buckley, John Cale, Brandi Carlile, Eric Church, Judy Collins, Bob Dylan, Glen Hansard, Sharon Robinson, Rufus Wainwright, and many others, and inspired by the book “The Holy of the Broken: Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley & the Unlikely Ascent of Hallelujah.” 

“Rubikon” – Directed by Magdalena Lauritsch; Written by Magdalena Lauritsch and Jessica Lind (In Theaters and Available on VOD)

After a catastrophic event on Earth, the planet becomes covered in toxic fog. The crew in the space station must decide whether to risk their lives to get home and search for survivors or stay safe in the station’s “algae symbiosis system.”

“The Princess” (Available on Hulu) 

An action-packed fight to the death set in a fairy tale world, “The Princess” stars Joey King as a strong-willed princess who refuses to wed the cruel sociopath to whom she is betrothed, and is kidnapped and locked in a remote tower of her father’s castle. With her scorned, vindictive suitor intent on taking her father’s throne, the princess must protect her family and save the kingdom.

“Rocketry: The Nambi Effect” – Written by Sukhmani Sadana and Madhavan (In Theaters)

Tracing the life of Nambi Narayanan (Madhavan), renowned for developing the Vikas Engine — one of the most efficient liquid fuel engines in the world today, that continues to be a workhorse at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in almost every launch, with the unique distinction of never having failed. An ISRO scientist and former aerospace engineer was unavoidably involved in a spy conspiracy. Interviews will reveal the truth behind the mystery.

July 6

“Fire of Love” (Documentary) – Directed by Sara Dosa (In Theaters)

Maurice Krafft, Katia Krafft, loved two things: eachother and volcanoes. The adventurous French volcanologist couple roamed around the planet for two decades, documenting their discoveries and chasing down eruptions. They lost their lives in a volcanic eruption in 1991, but their legacy has enriched our understanding of the natural world. Director Sara Dosa and the filmmaking team fashion a lyrical celebration of the intrepid scientists’ spirit of adventure, drawing from the Kraffts’ spectacular archive. “Fire of Love” tells a story of primordial creation and destruction, following two bold explorers as they venture into the unknown, all for the sake of love.

“Girl in the Picture” (Documentary) – Directed by Skye Borgman (Available on Netflix) 

In this documentary, a woman found dying by a road leaves behind a son, a man claiming to be her husband – and a mystery that unfolds like a nightmare.

“Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between” – Written by Amy Reed and Ben York Jones (Available on Netflix) 

Clare (Talia Ryder) and Aidan (Jordan Fisher) make a pact to break up before college – no regrets, no broken hearts. But will one unforgettable goodbye date give them a last chance at true love?

July 7

“On the 3rd Day” (Available on Shudder)

Cecilia (Mariana Anghileri) and her son, Martín (Octavio Belmonte), have a car accident. Cecilia wanders alone on a lonely road the third day following the crash and has no idea of her son. Her search uncovers coincidences between her case and other police files. These appear to be acts in a brutal hunting. Cecilia will eventually be confronted by a religious man responsible for this massacre as the circle continues. He is a lunatic for her. Cecilia is Cecilia’s enemy.

July 8

“Both Sides of the Blade” – Directed by Claire Denis; Written by Claire Denis and Christine Angot (In Theaters)

“Both Sides of the Blade” tells the tale of a passionate love triangle. Jean (Vincent London), Sara (Juliette Binoche), live together for over ten years. When they first met, Sara was living with François (Grégoire Colin), Jean’s best friend and an admirer from back when he played pro rugby. Jean and Sara love one another. One day, Sara sees François in the street. Although he doesn’t notice Sara, he is overwhelmed by the feeling that her life could suddenly be different. François gets back in touch with Jean. They are able to communicate for the first-ever time in many years. He suggests they get back together. Things spiral out of control from here.

“Thor: Love and Thunder” – Written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson and Taika Waititi (In Theaters)

The film finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced: a quest for inner peace. Gorr, the God Butcher (Christian Bale), a galactic villain who seeks to wipe out the gods, interrupts Thor’s retirement. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi), and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who — to Thor’s surprise — inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor. Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late. 

“Murina” – Directed by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović; Written by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic and Frank Graziano (In Theaters)

On a remote island along Croatia’s Adriatic coast, 17-year-old Julija (Gracija Filipovic) spends her days diving for eel with her domineering father Ante (Leon Lucev) and watching other teens party on a nearby yacht. Julija bristles at Ante’s heavy handed cruelty and resents her mother Nela’s (Danica Curcic) passivity. She longs for independence, but is unsure how to do it. Then she meets Javier (Cliff Curtis), who is rich and mysterious. Javier is considering buying Ante’s land to build a resort, which would allow the family to escape their island isolation for the city. Once Ante’s employer and Nela’s lover, Javier flirts shamelessly with Nela and Julija, setting off a subtle battle of hypermasculine one-upmanship that pushes Ante to humiliate and control Julija even more. Flattered by Javier’s praise and stories of traveling the world, Julija sees him as the solution to all her problems. But does his affection signify freedom, or something darker?

“Fair Play” (Documentary) – Directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom

“Fair Play” makes the invisible care work historically held by women visible, inspiring a more balanced future for all. In the film, inspired by Eve Rodsky’s New York Times best-selling book of the same name, Rodsky takes us on her journey to change the unfair work dynamic in her own home and in society at large. We follow three families as they attempt to find balance in their homes. We see how even the smallest arguments over dirty dishes can be linked to systemic problems that affect millions of families around the world.

July 13

“My Name Is Sara” (In Theaters)

“My Name Is Sara” tells the true life-story of 13-year-old Sara Góralniak, whose family was killed by Nazis in September of 1942. After a difficult escape to the Ukrainian countryside Sara (Zuzanna Suerowy) seeks refuge in a small village where she passes as a Christian and is accepted by a farmer’s young wife. She soon discovers the dark secrets of her employers’ marriage, compounding the greatest secret she must strive to protect: her true identity.

July 14

“Good Madam” – Directed by Jenna Cato Bass; Written by Jenna Cato Bass, Babalwa Baartman, and Chumisa Cosa (Available on Shudder)

July 15

“Where the Crawdads Sing” – Directed by Olivia Newman; Written by Lucy Alibar (In Theaters)

A captivating mystery emerges from the best-selling novel. “Where the Crawdads Sing” tells the story of Kya (Daisy Edgar-Jones), an abandoned girl who raised herself to adulthood in the dangerous marshlands of North Carolina. For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, isolating the sharp and resilient Kya from her community. Kya is drawn by two young men from the area and opens herself up to a new world. But when one of the men is found dead, the community immediately makes her the main suspect. As the case progresses, the truth about what happened becomes more and more unclear, which threatens to reveal the many secrets hidden within the marsh.

“Queen of Glory” – Written and Directed by Nana Mensah (In Theaters)

Brainy scientist Sarah Obeng, (Nana Mensah), is just weeks away to follow her very married boyfriend to Ohio. Her mother suddenly dies. Her inheritance? A small, but well-loved, Christian bookstore located in the Pelham Parkway section in the Bronx. It is where Sarah was raised by the tight-knit Ghanian immigrant family. Sarah is charged with planning a culturally appropriate funeral for her family matriarch. This requires her to manage the expectations of her family, navigate her father’s return and figure out what to do with her bookstore. Sarah is supported by a group of East European neighbors, feisty African aunties and an ex-con coworker. They help her to face her new responsibilities and figure out how to be true to herself.

“Persuasion” – Directed by Carrie Cracknell; Written by Alice Victoria Winslow and Ron Bass (Available on Netflix)

Anne Elliot (Dakota Johnson), a non-conformist woman with modern sensibilities, lives with her snobby family at the edge of bankruptcy. When Frederick Wentworth (Cosmo Jarvis) — the dashing one she let get away — crashes back into her life, Anne must choose between putting the past behind her or listening to her heart when it comes to second chances. Adapted from Jane Austen’s novel.

“Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down” (Documentary) – Directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen (In Theaters)

Looking at the former congresswoman’s courage and perseverance in the aftermath of the 2011 assassination attempt that left her partially paralyzed and with a language impairment, aphasia.

“Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” – Written by Carroll Cartwright, Olivia Hetreed, Anthony Fabian, and Keith Thompson (In Theaters)

“Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” tells the story of a widowed cleaning lady (Lesley Manville) in 1950s London who falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress, and decides that she must have one of her own. She embarks on a journey to Paris, where she will not only change her outlook but also the future of House of Dior.

“She Will” – Directed by Charlotte Colbert; Written by Charlotte Colbert and Kitty Percy (In Theaters and Available on VOD)

The film is about Veronica Ghent (Alice Crige), who after a double breastectomy, travels to a healing retreat in rural Scotland along with Desi (Kota Eberhardt), her young nurse. The process of such surgery raises questions about her existence. This leads her to confront her past traumas and begin to question them. They form an unlikely friendship when Veronica discovers that mysterious forces grant her the power to enact vengeance in her dreams.

“Earwig” – Directed by Lucile Hadžihalilović; Written by Lucile Hadžihalilović and Geoff Cox (In Theaters)

Mid-20th Century, somewhere in Europe. Albert (Paul Hilton), is employed to care for Mia (Romanehemelaers), a girl who has ice-toothed teeth. Mia doesn’t leave their apartment where the shutters are always shut. The telephone rings regularly and the Master enquires after Mia’s wellbeing — until the day Albert is instructed that he must prepare the child to leave.

“Don’t Make Me Go” – Directed by Hannah Marks; Written by Vera Herbert (Available on Prime Video)

Max (John Cho), a single father, learns that he has a terminal condition. He decides to make the most of the time he can spend with Wally (Mia Isaac), and all the years he’s spent with her. He promises Wally driving lessons and convinces Wally that he will take him on a trip from California to New Orleans for his 20th college reunion. He secretly hopes to reunite Wally and her mother, who they lost long ago.

“Costa Brava, Lebanon” – Directed by Mounia Akl; Written by Mounia Akl and Clara Roquet (In Theaters)

In “Costa Brava, Lebanon,” the free-spirited Badri family escape the toxic pollution and social unrest of Beirut by seeking refuge in a utopic mountain home they’ve devoted years to building for themselves. Unexpectedly, the government starts construction on a garbage dump right outside their fence. This brings the corruption and trash of a whole nation to their doorstep. As the landfill grows, so do family tensions. The Badris are faced by a choice: Stay off the grid, stay true to their ideals, leave their idyllic home, and face the reality.

“Living Wine” (Documentary) – Directed by Lori Miller (In Theaters and Virtual Cinemas)

“Living Wine” follows the journeys of an entrepreneurial group of Northern California winemakers willing to buck the conventional system and work with the grapes, soil, and conditions that vary from year to year to create truly unique and natural wines that capture the taste from where they were grown. They are equal parts farmer, winemaker, artist, and winemaker. They believe in creating exceptional wines through sustainable, innovative, and regenerative agriculture that is free from chemical additives. Eschewing the industrial agricultural practices of the corporate wine industry – our winemakers are healing the very environment they are surviving, i.e., a changing climate marked by rising temperatures, shorter growing seasons, and more frequent and virulent wildfires.

July 22

“Alone Together” – Written and Directed by Katie Holmes (In Theaters; VOD available July 29)

Going upstate for a supposedly temporary romantic getaway to escape the pandemic in New York City, food critic June’s (Katie Holmes) plans go wrong from the start when she arrives at her accommodation only to find that it’s been double booked by recently single Charlie (Jim Sturgess). June must adjust to the fact that her boyfriend Derek Luke (Derek Luke), decides to stay in New York City to care for his parents. Charlie and June discover a surprising intimacy as spring unfolds around them.

“How to Please a Woman” – Written and Directed by Renée Webster (In Theaters; Available on VOD July 29)

​​Gina (Sally Phillips) is taken by surprise when for her 50th birthday a male sex worker, a gift sent by her girlfriends, offers to do anything she wants. She asks him to do for her what no one else will – she has him clean her house. Gina discovers that he is from a business she helped liquidate. Amused and delighted, Gina’s friends request a sexy cleaner for their homes. Gina decides to hire the entire male removals team to clean their homes. 

“Anything’s Possible” – Written by Ximena García Le​​cuona (Available on Prime Video)

“Anything’s Possible” is a delightfully modern Gen Z coming-of-age story that follows Kelsa (Eva Reign)As she makes her way through senior year,, a confident highschool girl who is trans. Her classmate Khal (Abubakr Ali), develops a crush on her and decides to ask her out despite the drama it could cause. What happens is a romance that demonstrates the joy, tenderness and pain of young love.

“The Nan Movie” – Written by Catherine Tate and Brett Goldstein (In Theaters)

Catherine Tate’s iconic character Joannie Taylor AKA Nan hits the big screen as she goes on a wild road trip from London to Ireland with her long-suffering grandson Jamie (Mathew Horne) to make amends with her estranged and dying sister Nell (Katherine Parkinson). Through a series of flashbacks, we see the young sisters fall in love with the same handsome GI during World War 2 and how the consequences of this love triangle shaped Nan into the cantankerous old b*****d she is today. It’s a great day with all the usual suspects: vegan arsonists, Australian rugby team, all-night raves and crazy cops on motorbikes.

July 29

“Medusa” – Written and Directed by Anita Rocha da Silveira (In Theaters)

Mariana (Mari Oliveira), and her friends broadcast their spiritual devotion through pastel roses and catchy evangelical tracks about purity and perfection. But underneath it all, there is a deep rage. While they try to keep their facades intact, they become vigilante girls gangs that roam the streets, searching for sinners who have wandered from the right path. Mariana’s perception of community, religion, as well as her peers, begins to shift after an attack that went wrong. Nightmares of suppressed desires and haunting visions a tempting temptation become unavoidable. The urge to scream and let go of her paralyzing inner demons becomes stronger than ever. A neon-tinged genre-bender that gives provocative form to the overwhelming feminine fury coursing through modern life, “Medusa” dares us not to look away.

“Sharp Stick” – Written and Directed by Lena Dunham (In Theaters; Available on VOD August 16)

Sarah Jo (Kristine Freseth) is a 26-year-old sensitive and naive actress who lives on the fringes Hollywood with her disillusioned mother Jennifer Jason Leigh and her influencer sister, Taylour Paige. As a caregiver and longing to be noticed, she has an exploratory affair with Jon Bernthal, her older married employer. This leads to a surprising education about sexuality, loss, power, and other topics.

“Not Okay” – Written and Directed by Quinn Shephard (Available on Hulu)

Danni Sanders (Zoey Deutch), an aimless aspiring writer with no friends, no romantic prospects, and — worst of all — no followers, fakes an Instagram-friendly trip to Paris in the hopes of boosting her social media clout. Danni is unknowingly drawn into a lie that is far greater than she imagined after a frightening incident in the City of Lights. She “returns” a hero, even striking up an unlikely friendship with Rowan (Mia Isaac), a school-shooting survivor dedicated to societal change, and scooping up the man of her dreams, Colin (Dylan O’Brien). Danni is now an advocate and influencer. But it’s only a matter of time before the facade cracks, and she learns the hard way that the Internet loves a takedown.

“Alma’s Rainbow” (4K Restoration) – Written and Directed by Ayoka Chenzira (In Theaters)

An essential film in the ‘90s Black cinema canon, “Alma’s Rainbow” was written, directed, and produced by award-winning, internationally acclaimed film and video artist Ayoka Chenzira, one of the first African Americans to teach film production in higher education and among the first African American women animators. A coming-of-age comedy-drama about three African American women living in Brooklyn, “Alma’s Rainbow” explores the life of teenager Rainbow Gold (Victoria Gabrielle Platt) as she enters womanhood and navigates standards of beauty, self-image, and the rights women have over their bodies. Rainbow attends a strict parochial school, studies dance, and lives with her strait-laced mother, Alma (Kim Weston-Moran), who runs a hair salon in the parlor of their home and disapproves of her daughter’s newfound interest in boys. When Alma’s free-spirited sister Ruby (Mizan Kirby) returns from Paris after a 10-year absence, the sisters clash over what constitutes the “proper” direction for Rainbow’s life. “Alma’s Rainbow” highlights a multi-layered Black women’s world where the characters live, love, and wrestle with what it means to exert and exercise their agency.

“A Love Song” (In Theaters)

Faye (Dale Dickey), a lonely traveler, is enjoying her time stargazing, birding and fishing at a Colorado campground while she waits for Lito (Wes Studi), an old figure from her past, who is making his own nomadic and tentative journey across the rugged West. Like the country music that has traditionally channeled the heartbreak and resilience of Americans in search of themselves and others, “A Love Song” weaves a lyrical and ultimately joyful refrain out of the transformative act of being alone —and reminds us that love can nourish and mystify at any age.

“Purple Hearts” – Directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum; Written by Liz W. Garcia and Kyle Jarrow (Available on Netflix)

Despite their differences, Cassie (Sofia Carson), a struggling singer-songwriter, and Luke (Nicholas Galitzine), an ex-marine with a troubled past agree to marry for the military benefits. When tragedy strikes, the line between what’s real and what’s pretend begins to blur in this romantic drama.