The Female Gaze: Contemporary Films by Women

Synopsis

In the last couple of decades there has been a welcome increase in the ranks of women filmmakers worldwide, adding a distinct female perspective to their respective national cinemas. This box set offers a sample of the most talented international women directors working today. And while the points of view are always female, they are anything but narrow, as confirmed by the diverse array of subjects and styles displayed by these seven incredible films. Each film contains an exclusive Director's Statement and Bio, amongst other special features.

Arcadia
91 minutes / Drama / English / Dir. Olivia Spencer

Tom (John Hawkes) crams his three kids into a station wagon for the 3,000 mile journey from New England to California. His mood shifts as often as the landscapes zip by, and the kids feel their mother's presence receding with every mile.

MadeinUSA
100 minutes / Drama / Spanish / Dir. Claudia Llosa

Madeinusa, a 14 year old girl, lives in a small village in Peru where between Good Friday and Easter Sunday sin does not exist. When the village turns to chaos, Madeinusa explores new experiences.

Watchtower
100 minutes / Drama / Turkish / Dir. Pelin Esmer

A troubled young hostess is rescued from a shocking calamity by a fire warden fighting demons of his own.

Foreign Letters
100 minutes / Drama / Hebrew, English, Vietnamese / Dir. Ela Thier

In this touching tale of young friendship Ellie, a 12-year-old Israeli immigrant, and Thuy, a Vietnamese refugee, form a powerful bond that helps Ellie cope with the hardships of adjusting to her new life in the states.

Queen of Hearts
84 minutes / Comedy / French / Dir. Valérie Donzelli

Adele s attempt to recover from a devastating breakup leads to surprisingly hilarious results as she bounces from one lover to the next, but can't escape the vision of her ex.

Inch' Allah Dimanche
98 minutes / Dramatic Comedy / French / Dir. Yamina Benguigui

A deeply moving portrait of an Algerian woman s experience as an immigrant in France at a time when racial violence ran deep.

The Forest for the Trees
81 minutes / Drama / German / Dir. Maren Ade

Melanie, a young idealistic teacher from the countryside, starts her first job at a city high school. But soon she discovers her dream life is a world away.