LAST WEEK, PRODUCER Jason Blum caused controversy when he said his company Blumhouse Productions were trying to hire women, but claimed he couldn’t find them.
He told Polygon that he’s making an effort, it just isn’t being handed to him on a plate, as he’d like.
We’re not trying to do it because of recent events. We’ve always been trying. There are not a lot of female directors period, and even less who are inclined to do horror.
Right. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean that they’re not there. This is the problem.
This aside, here are 8 brilliant movies on Netflix right now by female directors that you should watch to brighten up your Monday.
Mudbound
Director: Dee Rees
A rural Mississippi town comes to terms with racism and post-traumatic stress disorder that comes with returning WW II veterans.
As a bonus, the film’s cinematographer Rachel Morrison was the first female cinematographer ever to be nominated for an Oscar.
Lady Bird
Director: Greta Gerwig
NOPE, sorry, we’re not done going on about this.
You know the deal here. Saoirse Ronan’s latest Oscar contender was the perfect coming of age drama we needed this year. Playing a young woman who has adopted the name Lady Bird, Saoirse and her mother played by Laurie Metcalf, hit home with basically every young woman who watched it. Saoirse was ROBBED.
The Babadook
Director: Jennifer Kent
Hey, it’s almost Halloween, so why not watch a mild horror. Directed by Kent, this strange thriller seems like it’s about one thing, an eery monster, but turns out to be about something completely different. Centering on a relationship between a mother and a son, this is one you won’t forget too quickly.
Tallulah
Director: Sian Heder
Tallulah stars Ellen Paige as a woman who is living out of her van, and decides it’d be a good idea to steal a baby. It’s all in a misguided effort to make her ex-boyfriend’s mother love her, but obviously goes terribly wrong.
Divines
Director: Houda Benyamina
This movie tells the story of a bunch of French teenagers as they attempt to start a life of crime. You’ll have to read the subtitles if you’re not fluent in French but it’s worth the effort, I promise.
13th
Director: Ava DuVernay
An eye-opening and important examination of how slavery still exists in the US, just under many different guises. This is a documentary, and not a movie, but still an amazing piece of work from a female director you absolutely need to see.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Director: Susan Johnson
For anyone who hasn’t watched this yet. What’s your problem?
Based on the novel by Jenny Han, it’s a lovely, warm hug of a movie about a young girl who writes love letters to her crushes, only to have them anonymously sent out to the boys in question.
Set It Up
Director: Claire Scanlon
Claire has the most Irish name ever, and thankfully Set It Up is another lovely romcom that you’ll feel was an hour or two well spent.
Two assistants in New York hatch a plan to set their two annoying bosses up so they find love and lay off them. It’s simply a joy, save this one for a rainy Saturday night if you haven’t gotten stuck in.
