Today we look at 10 films that were directed by women:
1. Carrie - Kimberly Peirce, 2013
Based on the book by Stephen King, this horror tells the story of Carrie White who is a social outcast in a religious home. She discovers she has telekinetic powers and unleashes terror on her town, culminating at the school prom. Director Kimberly Peirce also directed Boys Don't Cry (1999).
2. Blackfish - Gabriela Cowperthwaite, 2013
This movie-length documentary tells the story of an orca that was captured at the age of two to be a performer at SeaWorld, but he went on to kill three people. It joined a number of documentaries designed to challenge popular thought.
3. We Need to Talk About Kevin - Lynne Ramsay, 2011
Kevin is a strange child, who is often detached and who commits a massacre at his high school. His mother reflects back on the problems and events that led to Kevin committing murder through a series of flashbacks. It is chilling film that saw director Lynne Ramsey nominated for Best Director at the BAFTA Awards. It was also nominated for the illustrious Palme d'Or.
4. Julie & Julia - Nora Ephron, 2009
Starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, this film tells the story of successful chef Julia Child in the early years of her career with Julie Powell. Powell aspires to cook all of Child's recipes from her book Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year. Nora Ephron also directed Sleepless in Seattle (1993), You've Got Mail (1998) and Bewitched (2005) and has the highest lifetime cumulative box office grosses for female directors. She passed away in 2012, aged 71.
5. The Hurt Locker - Kathryn Bigelow, 2008
This action thriller follows an elite army disposal team who face death on a daily basis by dismantling bombs in an effort to make Baghdad a safer place. However, there are conflicts within the squad. An intense and violent film, it won six Oscars and six BAFTA Awards. Director Kathryn Bigelow also directed other popular films such as Point Break (1991) and Zero Dark Thirty (2012).
6. Monster - Patty Jenkins, 2003
Starring Charlize Theron, Monster tells the story of Aileen Wuornos, a former prostitute who was executed for the murders of six men. The raw and intense film received critical acclaim. Patty Jenkins both wrote and directed the film.
7. Lost in Translation - Sofia Coppola, 2003
Starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, Lost in Translation tells the story of two unlikely people - an aging movie star and a college graduate - who meet in a hotel in Japan. Both unhappy in their private lives, they begin to form a connection that could lead to something more. The film saw director Sofia Coppola become the third woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director.
8. Whale Rider - Niki Caro, 2002
This drama tells the story of a young and insightful girl whose life destiny to become a tribal chief is in conflict with her grandfather's believe that such a position can only be held by a male. Based on the novel by Witi Ihimaera, the film saw director Niki Caro appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004.
Photo / Kenny Rodger
9. American Psycho - Mary Harron, 2000
Based on the 1991 novel by Bret Easton Ellis, this thriller is about a young investment banker, Patrick Bateman, whose controlling and obsessive personality leads him to commit murder. Mary Harron wrote the screenplay and directed the extremely graphic film. She is also known for her film The Notorious Bettie Page (2005).
10. Deep Impact - Mimi Leder, 1998
In this science-fiction film, a comet is heading for earth and will cause mass extinction. The president releases a plan that will enable 800,000 randomly selected people to go underground for two years, leaving those who remain behind. Mimi Leder also directed Pay It Forward (2000)
- nzherald.co.nz
