FF2 Media’s new “Watch at Home” columns list the new films written and/or directed by women filmmakers that are newly available each week on DVD, Video On Demand &/or streaming services.
Here are the new films written and/or directed by women filmmakers now available at home as of 3/13/2020 (with links to FF2 Media reviews posted the week of their theatrical release):
- Black Christmas – Sophia Takal (director/co-writer), April Wolfe (co-writer)
- Blow the Man Down – Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy (directors/co-writers)
- Hooking Up – Lauren Schacher (co-writer)
- Human Nature – Regina Sobel (co-writer)
- International Falls – Amber McGinnis (director)
- Romantic Comedy – Elizabeth Sankey (director)
DANIELLE’S TOP PICK OF THE WEEK
Romantic Comedy breaks down this particular comedy genre beat by beat while showing clips of many rom-com films in the process.
Elizabeth Sankey narrates and directs this well-made documentary. Through her narration and interviews, Sankey breaks down everything we know about the genre. This isn’t only limited to present-day rom-coms but Sankey goes back to the classics. She grew up as any teenage girl does: learning about romance through the romantic comedy genre.
The 1930s were a very different time for women in film and Sankey points this out. The on-screen gender dynamics are nothing like they would be after World War II. Women were being seen as strong intelligent women. They were not quite the bumbling klutzes that would appear on screen in later films. Aside from the clumsiness, many of the beats in this films would not change. No matter what film or year, there’s always that declaration of love. While there are films that stray from these beats, everyone almost always has the happy ending.
The film isn’t shy of pointing out that many people reviewing the films are men. This is certainly still a problem today. All of that said, it’s very much a work in progress. This is a story for another day.
I do give credit to Sankey for pointing out that the industry has some work to do. Most of these romantic comedies display white heterosexual middle class couples. Where are the people of color? How many LGBTQ couples do we see in studio comedies? Let alone a rom-com with a transgender actor in a leading role! To her credit, Sankey runs through a number of films that go against the tide. This is not to say that they don’t exist but they’re out there!
Romantic Comedy certainly is a joy to watch but brings a new perspective to many of our favorite films.
Click HERE for my full review.
© Danielle Solzman (3/20/20) FF2 Media
Featured photos from Romantic Comedy EPK
Photo Credits: Romantic Comedy
