Women make up only 14.7 percent of film directors in the United States, and yet they’ve made some of the most interesting and complex movies.
Although we all love “Barbie” (2023) and “Clueless” (1995), here are some more obscure films directed by and starring women to celebrate Women’s History Month.
“But I’m a Cheerleader” (1999)
Affectionately dubbed a queer cult classic, Jamie Babbit’s directorial debut, set in a cartoony conversion therapy camp, tells the story of two teenage girls falling in love and discovering who they are.
There’s something particularly special about how this female-led movie was created. In an interview with CNN, Babbit said, “We were just making our weirdo indie film of queer joy and female power in a vacuum.” This sentiment shines through with the movie’s hyperrealistic colors, campy songs and hilarious satire.
Despite the initial negative reception by critics, “But I’m A Cheerleader” resurged in popularity and has even been adapted into a musical and referenced in the music video for “Silk Chiffon” (2021) by Muna (ft. Phoebe Bridgers).
“But I’m a Cheerleader” is free on Tubi.
“Past Lives” (2023)
Often compared to “La La Land” and other devastating love stories, “Past Lives” tells the story of two childhood friends and the evolution of their relationship over a 24-year period. The director, Celine Song, and cinematographer, Shabier Kirchner, recreated the feeling of time flying by through elaborate camera movements and shots all captured on 35mm film.
Song’s directorial debut film was nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay at the 96th Academy Awards. Although it lost in both categories, it’s still a masterpiece. The way the movie explores how bittersweet love can be, along with the complexities of the immigrant experience, is beautifully nuanced.
“Past Lives” is available to stream on Amazon Prime and Hulu.
“Petite Maman” (2021)
The director of “Petite Maman,” Céline Sciamma, is most well-known for “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” (2019). Praised for its use of the female gaze and portrayal of queer love, “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” set in 18th century France, explores a short affair between two young women.
Sciamma’s follow up, “Petite Maman” is equally moving and worth watching.
“Petite Maman” is about an 8-year-old girl, Nelly (Joséphine Sanz), who just lost her maternal grandmother. While her parents clean out her grandmother’s house, Nelly explores the surrounding woods and stumbles across a young girl building a tree house.
The film encapsulates feelings of grief, as well as those relating to reconnecting with ones you love and the pains of growing up, all in a mere 72 minutes. The film also features storytelling elements such as time travel, adding further mystery.
“Petite Maman” is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.
“The Watermelon Woman” (1996)
“The Watermelon Woman” is the first feature-length film written and directed by a Black lesbian, Cheryl Dunye. The story revolves around a fictionalized version of Dunye as she gathers information for her documentary about a 1940s Black actress billed as “the Watermelon Woman.”
In an interview with The Film Stage, Cheryl Dunye said about the movie, “I was putting in the topics of who I was and what my community was at that time, a conversation about racial politics within the queer community, etc. I took what was there at a time, and maybe even before the time, and fictionalized and narrativized it within the context of the footage and the politics and the truth that we were experiencing. I was making an attempt at opening up a conversation.”
“The Watermelon Woman,” maneuvers through complex subjects in such a distinctive, human way, making the movie both powerful and important to this day.
“The Watermelon Woman” is free on Kanopy.
“The Piano” (1993)
Academy Award winning director Jane Campion is known for films that often focus on women who are considered outsiders in society.
“The Piano” follows a mute pianist, Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter), who is sold into marriage and sent, along with her daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin), to New Zealand. She struggles to warm up to her new life and is sought after by one of her husband’s acquaintances, George (Harvey Keitel).
“The Piano” is an unconventional love story because it’s about the love Ada has for her piano. Since she can’t speak, playing the piano is her way of communicating her uncertainties to the world. In a sense, Ada is defined by her piano, not the men around her.
“The Piano” is available to rent or buy on Apple TV.
Female directors around the globe are making unique and intricate films, and this list only covers a few. Hopefully these films inspire you to dive into the history of women in film and stir appreciation for what female filmmakers have to offer.
This article was edited by Alia Messina, Marina Zaczkiewicz and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Olivia Citarella and Emma Brown.
