Did you know that Kathryn Bigelow is the only woman to ever win the Academy Award for Best Director? Or that only five women (Lina Wertmüller, Jane Campion, Sofia Coppola, Bigelow, and Greta Gerwig) have actually ever been nominated for the coveted golden gong?
Yes, this is, in part, due to the overwhelming minority of female filmmakers working in the film industry (of the top 100 grossing films in 2018, 4% of the directors were women – that's 4% less than in 2017). But is it also because of a lack of sensational films made by women out there? No chance.
This year, the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) roster includes a record number of films made by female directors (half), which proves that women are more than capable of creating valuable and interesting work that needs to be championed on a global platform.
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And while the numbers of female-directed films on the festival's line-up are cause for celebration alone, it is the range of stories told by cinematographers and actors that makes this year even more exciting.
Plots showing at the festival include those exploring the lives of women and men, the complexities of coming of age, some told in English, Hindi and Arabic, graphic novel adaptions (Radioactive) and biopics (A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood).
Here is our list of the top five favourite female-directed films to add to your must-watch list:
1 - The Coming Of Age Story: How To Build A Girl
Directed by Coky Giedroyc, this film – based on Caitlin Moran's semi-autobiographical novel of the same name – stars Ladybird's breakout star (and Jonah Hill's sister) Beanie Feldstein as a British teen who moves from a council estate in Wolverhampton to London, with the aim of becoming a music journalist.
Also in the cast: Chris O’Dowd, Emma Thompson, and Paddy Considine
2 - On Father And Son Relationships: Honey Boy
Directed by Alma Har’el, Shia LaBeouf plays his dad in a biopic about his own life and childhood. Based on a screenplay by the 33-year-old, actors Noah Jupe and Lucas Hedges play younger and older versions of Shia as he grows into a troubled adult after finding TV stardom so young. (At the age of 10, he was performing stand-up at comedy clubs.)
Also in the cast: FKA Twigs
3 - The Celebration Of A Real-Life Hero: Harriet
Kasi Lemmons directs the powerful biopic of American political activist, Harriet Tubman – played by Cynthia Erivo – who escapes slavery, joins the abolitionist movement and returns to help others to freedom.
Also in the cast: Janelle Monae, Joe Alwyn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jennifer Nettles
4 - The All-Female Cast: Hustlers
Based on Jessica Pressler’s New York Magazine article, 'The Hustlers at Scores', Lorene Scafaria directs one of the most talked about films premiering at TIFF this year. With Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu as leads, the film follows a group of New York City strippers with a masterplan to scam Wall Street executives.
Also in the cast: Lizzo, Cardi B, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Julia Stiles
5 - The Unusual Perspective: The Sky is Pink
Shonali Rose is back at TIFF for the third time, with the only Hindi film on the lineup. Featuring Priyanka Chopra Jonas – who returns to Bollywood after a three year break – The Sky Is Pink is told from the perspective of a couple's recently deceased teen daughter (Zaira Wasim) who humorously recounts her mother and father's 25-year relationship, from India to the UK.
Also in the cast: Farhan Akhtar
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