Afrobeatsplus takes a look at some films directed by women in celebration of women and how they have changed the paradigm in almost all aspects of life hitherto dominated by men.
Hollywood’s data indicate that the first woman to ever direct a motion picture was Alice Guy Blaché, a French woman. In addition, she was among the pioneers of the narrative fiction genre, having produced The Cabbage Fairy, a short film, in 1896.
Blanché made a significant contribution to women’s history, even though it isn’t discussed as much as it ought to be. In addition to directing, Blanché produced, wrote, and designed the costumes for her movies.
Notable female directors like Ava DuVernay and many others have established successful careers for themselves in the industry through their commitment and never-ending hard work. These ground-breaking films effectively highlight the work of female directors, whose inventiveness and directing abilities enabled them to create original and captivating on-screen narratives.
Selma
Ava DuVernay’s Selma, which revolves around Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s perilous fight for equal voting rights, provides a poignant perspective on the civil rights activist and his journey. This realistic historical drama, which stars David Oyelowo among other strong performances, is well-made and worth seeing in its entirety.
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The passion and honesty that DuVernay brings to her filmmaking are evident; there is no question about it. When it was first released, Selma was a revolutionary movie that was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar but ultimately won only Best Original Song.
Daughters of the Dust
The first black woman-directed film to be released in theaters in the US was Daughter of the Dust. One of the most beautiful films ever directed by a woman, it tells the story of three generations of Gullah women who lived on the South Carolina Sea Islands in 1902.
Though it’s frequently disregarded, this 1991 movie has really beautiful visuals. Daughters of the Dust, which was directed by the incredibly talented Julie Dash, mesmerizes audiences with its captivating visuals and poetic interpretation of tradition and family. The inventive plot will also probably draw viewers in and transport them to a different era.
Love & Basketball
Monica and Quincy, who were childhood friends, both want to play professional basketball. On the court, Monica often lets her emotions get the better of her, but Quincy possesses natural leadership skills. Love & Basketball, written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, is a straightforward but endearing tale.
Love & Basketball was a huge hit with reviewers and the box office alike. Among the twelve awards the movie swept included the Black Reel Award for Best Film. Renowned filmmaker Spike Lee served as the primary producer for the movie.
The Secret Life of Bees
The Secret Life of Bees, which is based on a novel of the same name, follows young Lily as she flees from her violent father. Lily travels to South Carolina with her caregiver and friend by her side where she meets the Boatwright sisters. Lily learns about beekeeping and honey production from the sisters as she continues to learn more about her late mother.
The Secret Life of Bees was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and it featured Alicia Keys, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Sophie Okonedo, and Queen Latifah in the lead roles for this introspective voyage. The movie won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture.
Everything, Everything
Maddy suffers from a life-threatening illness that keeps her confined to her hermetically sealed home until her neighbor Olly makes a positive impact on her. Texting back and forth and staring at each other through the windows, the two quickly become close and are willing to risk everything to be together. The book of the same name served as the basis for Everything, Everything.
Everything, Everything was directed by Stella Meghie and starred Amandla Stenberg and Nick Robinson as Maddy and Olly, respectively. The movie was an instant box office hit when it first came out, appealing especially to young adults and teenagers.
Queen & Slim
On their first date, Queen and Slim have an unexpected outcome. After they are stopped by the police for a traffic infraction, things get heated, and Slim shoots the officer to defend himself. They flee from the police because they are thought to be cop killers, but after a video of the incident appears, the two are shown to be more than just criminals.
Melina Matsoukas, the director, drew inspiration for Queen & Slim from news reports that were widely circulated, particularly about Trayvon Martin’s unjustified shooting. The National Board of Review presented Matsoukas with an award for Best Directorial Debut.