Singers are on the rise at the moment, you only have to look at the receipts from Taylor Swift's tour to be convinced. And actresses and directors also seem to be the focus on the big screen, as the upcoming feature films with Kristen Stewart, Anya Taylor-Joy, Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Margaret Qualley or the films by Ishana Shyamalan or Kelly Marcel prove.
The year 2023 was marked by the phenomenal success of Barbie by Greta Gerwig with Margot Robbie in the title role. However, neither the filmmaker nor the actress were nominated for the Oscars. Speaking of the Oscars, about a third of nominations in the 22 categories are women, the highest percentage in the last three years. Additionally, this is the first time that three feature films in contention for best film statuette are directed by women…but only Justine Trier is in the running for the directing trophy for “Anatomy of a Fall”…eighth woman in history to be in the category should be cited.
Optical Ilusion?
For the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at the University of San Diego, which has studied women's place on the big screen for 26 years, the results for 2023 are like the Oscars: halftone. According to the results of the study “The Celluloid Ceiling: Employment of Behind-the-Scenes Women on Top Grossing US Films in 2023,” “Women perform best as producers (24%), followed by executive producers (22). %), editors (20%), screenwriters (19%), directors (14%) and cameramen (6%).”
This year, not a week goes by without a female figure taking center stage. At least one film a week, screening since January 1, focuses on what we would once have called “female themes.” Simple optical effect or profound transformation? We'll know on December 31st after a full analysis of the numbers and game film. But in the meantime, here is an insight into feature films by and/or with women in the lead role.
Women in front of and behind the camera…
Celeste O'Conno, Dakota Johnson, Isabela Merced and Sydney Sweeney in “Madame Web.” Photo provided by Sony Pictures
Dakota Johnson, brought to prominence by the film adaptations of “50 Shades of Grey,” returns with a vengeance in “Madame Web,” a female take on Spider-Man. Directed by British director SJ Clarkson, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Claire Parker, the superhero feature film starring four women with special powers will be released in theaters on February 14th.
Love lies bleeding
Katy O'Brian and Kristen Stewart in Love Lies Bleeding. Photo provided by A24
The undisputed star of this year's Sundance Film Festival, which took place from January 18th to 28th? Kristen Stewart, with “Love Lies Bleeding” by Rose Glass, in which she and Katy O'Brien play lovers caught in the web of organized crime. The feature film opens on March 8th, just in time for International Women's Day.
The Agreement
Jean-Paul Rouve and Kim Higelin in “Consent.” Photo provided by Axia Films
Consent, an event film by Vanessa Filho based on the book by Vanessa Springora, explores the relationship of a 14-year-old girl with 50-year-old writer Gabriel Matzneff (Jean-Paul Rouve). Kim Higelin plays the woman who decided to break the silence surrounding this relationship, which was considered normal in the French cultural community in the 1980s. “Consent” hits theaters on February 23rd.
Girl on the run
Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan in “Girls on the Run,” photo provided by Focus Features
“Girls on the Run,” which hits theaters February 23, is the first-ever feature film directed by Ethan Coen alone, without his brother Joel. Produced and co-written by the filmmaker with his wife, the feature stars Margaret Qualley as Jamie, a young girl who takes her friend on a road trip to Tallahassee.
challenger
Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor in Challengers. Photo provided by MGM
After Denis Villeneuve's Dune 2 on March 1st, Zendaya fans will find the singer and actress in Luca Guadagnino's Challengers on April 26th. She plays the main role of a former tennis player who wants to convince her husband to become a world champion. And the Italian filmmaker added a love triangle to spice up the story.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Anya Taylor-Joy in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Photo provided by Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
One of the most anticipated blockbusters of the summer, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, releasing on May 24th, starring Anya Taylor-Joy, revealed in the series “Women's Gambit”. The 27-year-old American reprises the role made popular by Charlize Theron in George Miller's 2015 “Mad Max: The Road to Chaos.”
ballerina
Ana de Armas will play the role of Rooney in the film “Ballerina”. AFP
From June 7th, Ana de Armas starts with Keanu Reeves, Ballerina, a derivative of the John Wick series. Directed by Len Wiseman, she plays a young killer who is – obviously – out for revenge. Yes, it will bleed.
The Guardians
The preliminary poster for The Watchers. Photo provided by Inimitable Pictures
Ishana Shyamalan is the daughter of M. Night Shyamalan and is taking her first steps as a director here. She takes up the fatherly torch of the horror film and films Mina (Dakota Fanning), whose car breaks down in a forest. We suspect that the sequel will provide intense thrills starting June 7th.
Joker: Folie à Deux
Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix in “Joker: Folie à Deux” Photo provided by Warner Bros.
What would the Joker be without Harley Quinn? First played by Margot Robbie, the former psychiatrist disfigured by the Joker takes on the features of Lady Gaga. Musical drama directed by Todd Phillips, this psychological thriller, which hits theaters on October 4, focuses on the obsessive relationship between the two lovers.
Wicked: Part One
Ariana Grande in “Wicked: Part One” Photo provided by Universal Pictures
The Wicked Witch of the West, antagonist of “The Wizard of Oz,” will be introduced to the story of her origins in “Wicked: Part One,” hitting screens November 27. Cynthia Erivo plays the very young woman with green skin, while Ariana Grande transforms into Glinda Upland and Michelle Yeoh becomes Ms. Horrible. This pure musical is directed by Jon M. Chu and the second part will be released next year.
Poison 3
A scene from the Venom movie. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures
Forget the usual testosterone overdose in this Venom 3, hitting screens on November 8th. In fact, Tom Hardy is directed by director Kelly Marcel (who co-wrote the screenplay with the actor), and Juno Temple plays the other lead.