Where one might expect a heavy slate of mom-centric films in honor of Mother’s Day, this month’s releases buck expectations, relying primarily on darker, sometimes more unsettling, themes — with a few uplifting rock-and-roll documentaries and light-hearted comedies added for good measure.
May kicks off with the VOD release of “All My Puny Sorrows” (May 3), a story of two tight-knit sisters (Sarah Gadon and Allison Pill) who are struggling to heal after one of them attempts suicide. Directed by Mei Makino, “Inbetween Girl,” a coming-of-age romantic comedy about a biracial teen whose newfound sexual freedom serves as a fine distraction from her parents’ divorce, also gets a VOD release that day.
“Happening” (May 6), directed by Audrey Diwan and adapted from Annie Ernaux’s autobiographical novel, tells the now all-too-realistic tale of a young woman racing against the clock to access a safe, but illegal, abortion. The drama picked up Venice Film Festival’s top honor. Also out on May 6, Theresa Rebeck’s “Glimpse” is a thriller about corporate espionage. Meanwhile, “In Front of Your Face” follows a former actress who finds herself back home with her sister in Seoul, and trying to keep secrets about her meeting with a film director.
Two Netflix comedies, “Senior Year” (May 13) and “A Perfect Pairing” (May 19), will surely lighten the mood. Rebel Wilson plays a woman who wakes from a 20-year-long coma to become Prom Queen. Victoria Justice plays a sales executive who quits her high-powered position to sell her own wine.
Ninja Thyberg’s “Pleasure” (May 13) is a portrait of an aspiring porn star dreaming of fame at any cost. Out May 20, Brea Grant’s “Torn Hearts” is another cautionary tale about stardom. The movie follows two rising country musicians who visit a well-known performer in hopes of getting her support. Their visit to her home turns into a game of cat and mouse. For music fans looking for a more inspirational story, there’s Bobbi Jo Hart’s May 27 release “Fanny: The Right to Rock,” a doc about the first all-women band to release an LP with a major record label.
These are the May films that feature women-centric, women directed, and women written. Unless otherwise noted all descriptions are from press materials.
May 3
“All My Puny Sorrows” (Available on VOD)
Based on the international best-selling novel by Miriam Toews, “All My Puny Sorrows” unexpectedly infuses wry humor into this heart-wrenching story of two loving sisters: one a gifted pianist (Sarah Gadon) obsessed with ending her life, the other a struggling writer (Alison Pill) who, in wrestling with this decision, makes profound discoveries about herself.
“Inbetween Girl” – Written and Directed by Mei Makino (Available on VOD)
A modern, smart, and subversive rewrite of the classic teen rom-com, ”Inbetween Girl” centers on Galveston teen artist Angie Chen (Emma Galbraith), who turns to secret hook-ups with Liam (William Magnuson), the heartthrob of her private school, after her parents’ sudden divorce. Capturing the trials and tribulations of modern teenage life, “Inbetween Girl” finds its heroine’s existence in the liminal spaces between private and public life with Liam, childhood and adulthood, and her mixed white and Chinese heritage. Throwing another wrench into Angie’s troubles is the fact that her Chinese father starts to date a Chinese woman with the “perfect” archetypal Asian American daughter, someone that Angie feels like she can never be.
“Box of Rain” (Documentary) – Directed by Lonnie Frazier (Available on VOD)
In 1985, Lonnie’s life was spiraling out of control. Through a twist in fate, she found relief in the Deadhead community. It all began with a road trip to Colorado and free tickets for the Grateful Dead at Red Rocks, Colorado. This film is a history and present exploration of the Deadhead Family and the unique qualities that make it special. Lonnie is reunited with her childhood friends and makes new connections. Through extensive interviews, she aims to dispel stereotypes about Deadheads as well as document the beauty and diversity of the community. We learn how the Grateful dead impacted the lives of so many people and the healing they found through their music. And the most important memories they have. Lonnie returns home to Red Rocks to complete the film, twenty-five years after her road trip that started it all. She discovers healing and the ability to write her own story on this journey.
“Hold Your Breath: The Ice Dive” (Documentary) (Available on Netflix)
Follow Johanna Nordblad free diver as she tries to break the world record in distance traveled under ice in one breath.
May 6
“Happening” – Directed by Audrey Diwan; Written by Audrey Diwan and Marcia Romano (In Theaters)
Adapted from Annie Ernaux’s semi-autobiographical novel, “Happening” follows Anne (Anamaria Vartolomei), a bright young student with a promising future ahead of her in France during 1963. When she becomes pregnant, she sees an opportunity to finish school and escape the social constraints that have shaped her life. Anne is nearing her final exams and her belly is growing. She resolves to take action, even though she has to face shame and pain.
“Glimpse” – Written and Directed by Theresa Rebeck (In Theaters and Available on VOD)
The ensemble thriller explores a dark world in which corporate espionage has a way of reaching into the minds and homes of its employees. As lives are compromised and controlled, panic rises. A ruthless oligarch manipulates reality with disturbing pleasure. What is the price of loyalty What is the price for freedom?
“In Front of Your Face” (In Theaters)
After many years of living abroad, Sangok (Lee Hyeyoung), a former actress, is now back in Seoul. She lives with her sister Jeongok, Cho Yunhee, in her high-rise apartment. The siblings sleep late, have breakfast in a cafe, and visit a restaurant owned by Jeongok’s son. But as the details of Sangok’s day accrue — a spill on her blouse, an encounter at her childhood home — it becomes clear that there is much she is not revealing. These mysterious circumstances are what led to her meeting Jaewon (Kwon Haiyo), a film director, to discuss her return.
“Lux AEterna” (In Theaters; Available on VOD May 30)
French cinema icons Charlotte Gainsbourg and Béatrice Dalle , playing themselves, star as the lead actress and the director of an experimental film about witches. As the shoot gets underway, however, the production becomes increasingly chaotic as bitter resentments and egos rise to the surface. This threatens to derail the entire project.
“The Twin” (In Theaters and Available on VOD and Shudder)
In “The Twin,” following the aftermath of a tragic accident that claimed the life of one of their twins, Rachel (Teresa Palmer) and husband Anthony (Steven Cree) relocate to the other side of the world with their surviving son in the hopes of building a new life. The quiet Scandinavian countryside is a place of healing, but Rachel soon uncovers the dark truth about her son. She confronts the evil forces trying to take him hostage.
“Operation Mincemeat” – Written by Michelle Ashford (In Theaters; Available on Netflix May 11)
It’s 1943. The Allies are determined to break Hitler’s grip on occupied Europe, and plan to launch an all-out assault on Sicily, but they face an impossible challenge –how to protect the invasion force from potential annihilation. It falls to two remarkable intelligence officers, Ewen Montagu (Colin Firth) and Charles Cholmondeley (Matthew Macfadyen) to dream the most inspired and improbable disinformation strategy of the war — centered on the most unlikely of secret agents: a dead man. “Operation Mincemeat” is the extraordinary and true story of an idea that hoped to turn the tide for the Allies – taking impossibly high risks, defying logic, and testing the nerves of its creators to breaking point.
“The Ravine” – Written by Kelly Pascuzzi, Robert Pascuzzi, and Keoni Waxman (In Theaters and Available on VOD)
In “The Ravine,” when an unspeakable crime rocks a peaceful community, family and friends are left to wonder if they overlooked the murderer among them or if there might be more to the story. This haunting thriller is inspired from true events and stars Eric Dane. Teri Polo, Peter Facinelli and Leslie Uggams.
May 10
“Faye” – Directed by Kd Amond; Written by Kd Amond and Sarah Zanotti (Available on VOD)
Faye (Sarah Zanotti), self-help author and grieving husband’s death, retreats to Louisiana to process her thoughts and write her book. But her trip becomes even more difficult when she discovers that her past haunts her.
May 11
“Our Father” (Documentary) – Directed by Lucie Jourdan (Available on Netflix)
Jacoba Ballard was an unmarried child. She was conceived via donor embryos. Jacoba always dreamed of having siblings. An at-home DNA test led her to the discovery of not one but seven half-siblings – a number that defied best practices in fertility medicine. As the group set out to learn more about their curious family tree, they soon discovered the sickening truth: Their parents’ fertility doctor had been inseminating his patients with his own sperm – without their knowledge or consent. As Ballard and her newfound siblings realize they’ve barely begun to untangle his dark web of deceit, their pursuit of justice lies at the heart of this profoundly unsettling story about an unimaginable breach of trust.
May 13
“Pleasure” – Directed by Ninja Thyberg; Written by Ninja Thyberg and Peter Modestij (In Theaters)
“Pleasure” is a journey into the Los Angeles porn industry through the lens of newcomer Bella Cherry (Sofia Kappel). Bella is determined, strong, and self-confident.
“Kamikaze Hearts” (Restoration) – Directed by Juliet Bashore (In Theaters)
Alternately distressing, instructive, contestable, and fascinating, Juliet Bashore’s quasi-documentary plunge into the 1980s porn industry takes an unsparing look at issues of misogyny, drug abuse, and exploitation via the story of two women – the naive newcomer Tigr and her partner, the magnetic, imperious porn veteran Sharon Mitchell – caught in a toxic romance. By turns mesmerizing and unsettling, “Kamikaze Hearts” is both a fascinating record of the pre-gentrification of San Francisco’s X-rated underground and an intense, searing love story. This film shows how bodies, emotions, and lives can be altered.
“Senior Year” (Available on Netflix)
A high school senior named Rebel Wilson was injured in a cheerleading stunt that went wrong. She is now in a 20-year-long coma. Now she’s 37, newly awake, and ready to live out her high school dream: becoming prom queen.
“Monstrous” – Written by Carol Chrest (In Theaters and Available on VOD)
Laura (Christina Ricci), her seven-year-old son Cody, and her abusive ex-husband escape to flee and seek a new life in a peaceful and remote lakeside farmhouse. Their fragile existence is being threatened and their mental and physical well-being is still severely damaged.
“Il Buco” – Written by Giovanna Giuliani and Michelangelo Frammartino (In Theaters)
Michelangelo Frammartino recreates the 1961 discovery of Italy’s Bifurto Abyss – Europe’s deepest cave. A group of intrepid speleologists descend into the earth with only a few helmet lanterns, and flaming torches to light their way. Frammartino, a real speleologist, meticulously describes the exploration of this mysterious cave of amazing wonder and beauty. He spent hours inside using extended fiber optic cables and cameras.
May 19
“A Perfect Pairing” – Written by Elizabeth Hackett and Hilary Galanoy (Available on Netflix)
Lola (Victoria Justice), an ambitious LA wine sales exec, leaves her job to start her wine distribution company. She eagerly books a plane ticket to Australia to chase Vaughn Family Wines, her first potential client. Lola is disappointed to learn that the Vaughn family is not interested in doing business as a fledgling company. Lola, eager to prove herself, volunteers to be a farmhand at the Vaughn sheepfarm. At first, Lola doesn’t seem cut out for the tough work of mending fences and wrangling sheep, but she and the dashing station manager Max (Adam Demos) strike up a friendship as he trains her. Lola discovers that Australia has given her more than just a love of entrepreneurship. She also discovered a new love for Max. But will Max’s secrets prevent Lola from reaping what she romantically sows?
May 20
“Fire in the Mountains” (In Theaters)
A stunningly beautiful Himalayan community in northern India attracts tourists with its blend of South Asian and Swiss Alps aesthetics. Vinamrata Rai, a local woman, competes for business with her neighbors while fighting the strictures of patriarchy and local infrastructure from hell. She saves money, uses her feminine wiles to subvert corrupt powers-that be, and piggybacks her son up and over the mountainside to see condescending doctors. In the end, our heroine’s tightly-wound grit must find release — in triumph, or madness, or both.
“Men” (In Theaters)
Harper (Jessie Buckley), in the aftermath of a personal loss, retreats alone to the English countryside hoping to find healing. Harper is being stalked by someone or something in the woods. What started as a simmering dread turns into a full-blown nightmare, inhabited with her darkest memories, fears, and a feverish new horror film.
“Torn Hearts” – Directed by Brea Grant; Written by Rachel Koller Croft (Available on VOD)
The cautionary tale about a rise to stardom in the Nashville Country Music Scene. Two friends (Abby Quinn and Alexxis Lemire), rising artists on the brink of a big break, will do just about anything to realize their dream – including a pilgrimage to the legendary and reclusive Harper Dutch’s (Katey Sagal) mansion in the hopes she’ll record a song with them. While their life-long idol seems intent to help, the visit devolves into a twisted series of mental and physical torment as the pair discover Harper – and each other – may have other motives. With no other choice and desperate to record a song, the duo must go to dangerous lengths to prove their dedication to their dream of becoming Nashville’s next country music stars.
“Emergency “– Written by KD Davila (In Theaters; Available on Prime Video May 27)
Kunle (Donald Elise Watkins), and Sean (RJ Cyler), both seniors at college, are about to embark on an epic night full of Spring Break parties. Their roommate, Carlos (Sebastian Chacon), has left the door open when they return to their apartment to prepare for the game. As they enter with trepidation, Sean and Kunle discover a drunk, semi-conscious white woman they don’t know on the floor and an oblivious Carlos, who didn’t hear her come in over the videogame blaring in his ears. Kunle wants to call police, but Sean is vehemently against the idea. He is concerned about how it will look when they arrive: two Black men and one Latino man, as well as a white woman who has been passed out. Together, Carlos, Sean, and Kunle load the girl — whom they nickname Goldilocks, but whose real name is Emma (Maddie Nichols) — into Sean’s van, with the intention of taking her somewhere safe rather than calling the police. Meanwhile, Emma’s sister, Maddy (Sabrina Carpenter), begins to search for her in a drunk panic, using Emma’s phone’s location. It is a chaotic, hilarious and tension-filled chase through town as our trio struggles with their differences while trying to bring Emma home.
May 24
“Since I Been Down” (Documentary) – Directed by Gilda Sheppard (Available on VOD)
“Since I Been Down” details the lives of inmates who were incarcerated as children as part of Washington State’s “Three Strike” law, and were granted a lifetime in prison with no chance of parole. Director Gilda Shappard developed a strong relationship with the Department of Corrections. They allowed her to film inside the prison, and explored the importance of education in prison systems. The film has inspired key pushes toward legislation in Washington State, but with the “Three Strikes” law still in place there is still a long road ahead.
May 27
“Fanny: The Right to Rock” (Documentary) – Directed by Bobbi Jo Hart (In Theaters)
In sunny Sacramento, California, two sisters of Filipino descent met to make music together in the 1960s. They didn’t know that their garage band would become the legendary rock band Fanny. Fanny was the first all-women group to ever release an album with a major record company (Warner/Reprise 1970). Despite releasing five critically-acclaimed albums over five years, touring with famed bands, and amassing a dedicated fan base of music legends including David Bowie, Fanny’s groundbreaking impact in music was written out of history — until the bandmates reunite 50 years later with a new rock record deal. Fighting early barriers of race, gender, and sexuality in the music industry, and now ageism, the incredible women of Fanny are ready to claim their hallowed place in the halls of rock ‘n’ roll fame.
“A Chiara” (In Theaters)
The Guerrasio family and friends gather to celebrate Claudio and Carmela’s (Claudio Rotolo and Carmela Fumo) oldest daughter’s 18th birthday. As they dance on the dance floor, there is a healthy rivalry between birthday girl Chiara (Swamy Rotolo), and her 15-year old sister Chiara. It is a happy occasion and the close-knit family is in top form. The father vanishes the next day, and everything changes. Chiara, disillusioned by the cover story starts to investigate. She discovers the truth and is forced to choose what kind of life she wants.
Source: Women And Hollywood
