The women indie-filmmakers are making their mark on cinematic culture for years now. The kind of work they have been doing speaks volumes, including the range and diversity these women put up behind the camera. The fact that they have been trying their hand at every genre and coming up at the top in it, says a lot about their excellence. We are sure these prolific women directors will continue to impress with their work in the years to come and inspire the other women filmmakers to join the indie-filmmaking bandwagon to inject brilliance into the filmmaking business.
First Cow Directed by Kelly Reichardt
Kelly Reichardt focuses on the Pacific Northwest like in many of her films and this time evoking a picture of an authentically early nineteenth-century way of life. John Magaro is a loner and a cook who has traveled west and has decided to join a group of fur trappers in Oregon Territory, however, he was only able to connect deeply with a Chinese immigrant (Orion Lee) who like him has set out to search for his true fortune.
The two bond over a common objective and collaborate on a successful business venture, and the success of the venture is dependant upon the shady participation of a nearby wealthy landowner’s prized milking cow. This simple premise is based on the ingredients of friendship, suspense, and the essence of rural America. The film is a complex yet harmonious tale combining natural beauty and human relations.
Atlantics by Mati Diop
This film mesmerized the eclectic Cannes audience and why not as it is a drama of palpable yearning and grace, Atlantics is the story of Ada, a 17-year-old girl living in the suburbs of Dakar, the Senegalese capital. Though she’s all set to marry a rich young man named Omar, Ada is secretly in love with a poor construction writer, Souleiman. In the opening scenes, Souleiman and his fellow laborers, who have not been paid for the work they have been doing, building a futuristic tower, leave for Europe in search of other work. But Souleiman, despite his pursuit of dreams in foreign shores never abandons Ada.
Diop builds their relationship as they continue to overcome the various hurdles they face, treating the story with compassion and unlikely mysticism. Diop depicts a transportive love story with a hint of social critique that turns out to be both haunting and hopeful. The film beautifully captures the scenery and beauty of Africa, oblivious to the rest of the world. It is a beautifully shot film acted in a reticent and quite graceful manner.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood by Marielle Heller
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is guaranteed to work its magic on you. The masterful storyteller crafts the story of a bitter reporter, Tom Junod, who begins to enjoy the niceties of life after befriending Fred Rogers without resorting to cheap, maudlin tricks. It is a wonderfully heartwarming, and emotive film. This film is not a biopic on Mr. Rogers but a tale of how he inspires someone to pursue his life's true goals. It's a thoughtful, layered screen depiction of how one can effectively deal with expectations, disappointments, and imperfections about life and find that elusive balance.
Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers is as perfect as he can be, becoming the beacon of positivity as a teacher and a dear friend to Tom Junod. In fact, despite Mr. Hanks's incredible persona, when you watch the film you'll see more of Mr. Rogers in him than Mr. Hanks. Needless to say, Tom Hanks offers a subtle and layered performance.
Matthew Rhys is also, great as the cynical Lloyd Vogel. Chris Cooper is also perfectly cast as Lloyd's father. The movie is beautifully shot and the cinematography is top-notch. The screenplay is also excellent and it is wonderfully directed.
Tom Hanks' beautiful and compassionate portrayal of Fred Rogers, and the entire cast chipping in with wonderful performances, and Marielle Heller's nostalgic and sincere directing style come together to craft A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood as one of the truly memorable films which you shouldn't miss at all.
Don't miss out on these beautiful indie movies directed by these talented women directors! If you have watched any of them mentioned here, let us know how you liked it?
