2020, despite its many challenges to the film industry, was a particularly good year for film. In honor of the incredible women who helmed the best films of the year, here’s my list. Hope it inspires you to watch more movies directed by women.
Narrative Fiction
‘First Cow’
Directed by Kelly Reichart
A fable about friendship that captures the harsh realities and simple pleasures of life. A subtle critique on capitalism and the search for the American dream.
‘Nomadland’
Directed by Chloé Zhao
The highly acclaimed drama stars Frances McDormand as Fern, who loses her job during the recession. Fern sells most of her possessions and purchases a van to travel the country in search of work. ‘Nomadland’ deserves all the accolades is receiving, Chloé Zhao not only directed, but she also wrote and edited it.
‘Never Rarely Sometimes Always’
Directed by Eliza Hittman
A powerful and emotional coming of age drama about a teenage girl’s trip to New York City, where she goes to end an unwanted pregnancy.
‘One Night in Miami’
Directed by Regina King
Regina King’s debut feature is thoughtful, entertaining, and inspiring. It imagines a meeting between four African American icons: Malcolm X, Cassius Clay (Mohamed Ali), Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown.
‘Promising Young Woman’
Directed by Emerald Fennell
An unpredictable, funny, and often dark film about a young woman’s obsession with righting the wrong done to her dear friend, who committed suicide after being raped. An amazing performance by Carey Mulligan as Cassie.
‘The Forty-Year Old Version’
Directed by Radha Blank
A fresh approach to the struggling artist’s story. Radha Blank plays a version of herself, a playwright in the middle of a crisis who ventures into a new form of expression as a rapper.
Narrative Documentary
‘All In: The Flight For Democracy’
Directed by Lisa Cortés and Liz Garbles
A powerful, timely and necessary film about voter suppression and the fight for democracy in the United States.
‘Athlete A’
Co-directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk
A story about an athlete’s bravery and the reporting that exposed the long history of sex abuse in U.S.A gymnastics.
‘Crip Cramp’
Co-directed by Nicole Newnham and James Lebrecht
An inspirational documentary about a group of teens with disabilities-turned activists at a summer camp in the Catskills, NY.
‘Dick Johnson is Dead’
Directed by Kirsten Johnson
A humorous yet deep contemplation of mortality, filmmaker Kirsten Johnson stages her father’s death in inventive and comical ways.
‘Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado’
Co-directed by Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch
An intimate and beautiful portrait of TV legend Walter Mercado, who in his long career brought hope and smiles to Latinx audiences around the world.