March is Women’s History Month, so this month I made it my mission to only watch films directed by women, most of which were focused on female stories. Although March has come to a close, here are four of my favorite films directed by women that we can enjoy year-round!
1. Quo Vadis, Aida? dir. Jasmila Žbanić, 2020 (Prime Video)
This powerful film is about Aida, a translator for the UN in Bosnia, trying to save her family and their town of Srebrenica from the massacre perpetrated by the Serbian army. Amongst many other accolades, this film is nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
2. Atlantique dir. Mati Diop, 2019 (Netflix)
Atlantique is a haunting love story, following Ada, a young woman in love with Souleiman, but arranged to marry another man. However, the story takes a dramatic turn as it follows a mysterious illness falling upon some of the townspeople, and explores supernatural elements as well as themes of class struggles, relationships between women, and fate. Atlantique won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. Diop made history as the first Black woman director of a film featured at Cannes.
3. Babyteeth dir. Shannon Murphy, 2019 (Hulu)
This heart-wrenching film is about a teen, Milla, who has cancer, and her relationship with a drug dealer, Moses. The story revolves around her growing up, and her relationships with Moses and her parents while having a terminal diagnosis. Babyteeth is a visually stunning film that competed for the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival.
4. Nomadland dir. Chloé Zhao, 2020 (Hulu)
After losing her job and her husband, Fern lives in a van as a modern nomad. Nomadland follows the main character’s journey of friendships and self-discovery as she travels around the western US and works odd jobs. Zhao made history at the Golden Globes this year as the second woman and first Asian woman to win the award for best director. Nomadland has been nominated for six Academy Awards as well.