As told through clips from 183 female directors, this epic history of the cinema focuses on women’s integral role in the development of film art. Using almost a thousand film extracts from thirteen decades and five continents, Mark Cousins asks how films are made, shot and edited; how stories are shaped and how movies depict life, love, politics, humour and death, all through the compelling lens of some of the world’s greatest filmmakers – all of them women.
Intimacy is a thought-provoking drama that delves into the complex emotions of love, lust, and existential loneliness. Set in London, the movie follows the story of a man and a woman who engage in a clandestine affair as a way to escape the disillusionment of their own lives. As the affair progresses, they find themselves torn between their desire for passion and the fear of losing their own identities.
A young man and woman meet on a train in Europe and spend one night together in Vienna. They roam around the city, talking openly about love, life, and religion. They feel a romantic connection and share a passionate kiss at sunset. They admit their attraction but know they won't see each other again. Before parting, they agree to meet in six months at the same place.
La Linea is a cult TV show that follows a two-dimensional character drawn by a line. With its minimalist animation and surrealism, it takes the viewers on unexpected journeys filled with joy, anger, and surprise endings.
Nine years after their first meeting, Jesse and Celine encounter each other again on Jesse's book tour in Paris. As they navigate the city, they reveal their dissatisfactions with their lives and slowly rekindle their old feelings. The movie explores themes of connection, regret, and the enduring power of a single night spent together.
A busker and an immigrant meet in Dublin and form a musical and potentially romantic connection as they write, rehearse, and record songs together. They face obstacles such as the busker's ex-girlfriend and the immigrant's estranged husband. Despite setbacks, they pursue their musical dreams.
In 'Taste of Cherry,' a middle-aged man named Mr. Badii drives around Tehran in search of someone who will bury him after he commits suicide. Along the way, he gives rides to various passengers and engages in philosophical conversations about life and death. The film explores themes of hope, despair, and self-reflection.
An elderly couple, Shukishi and Tomi Hirayama, travel from their small seaside town of Onomichi to Tokyo to visit their adult children. However, their children are too busy with their own lives and responsibilities to spend time with them. Feeling neglected and invisible, the couple quietly return home, realizing the growing generation gap and the changing dynamics of family relationships.
Good Morning is a gentle comedy that follows the everyday life of a family in post-war Japan. It explores themes of generational conflict, social dynamics, and the importance of communication.
Pather Panchali follows the story of a young boy named Apu, who grows up in a poverty-stricken village in rural India. The film explores themes of struggle, poverty, and the challenges faced by Apu and his family as they navigate through life. It portrays the harsh realities of their existence, including malnutrition, child abuse, and the constant search for work. Despite the hardships, the film also highlights moments of joy and resilience.
Frances Ha is a coming-of-age comedy-drama film that follows Frances, a 27-year-old aspiring dancer living in New York City. After her best friend moves out of their apartment, Frances struggles to navigate her relationships and find her place in the world. Through a series of adventures and missteps, she explores themes of friendship, love, and identity.
Elephant is a powerful and haunting drama that explores the events leading up to a tragic high school shooting. Through multiple perspectives, the film delves into the lives of ordinary students who find themselves caught in a senseless act of violence.
Jesse and Celine, a couple who met nine years ago, now live in Greece with their twin daughters. Jesse struggles to maintain a relationship with his son while Celine considers a job in government. As they drop Jesse's son off at the airport, tensions arise, leaving Jesse feeling confused. They then drive home together, revealing they have twin daughters.
Late Spring is a beautiful and poignant film set in post-World War II Japan. It tells the story of a widower and his unmarried daughter, exploring the themes of family, love, and sacrifice. The film showcases the delicate relationship between the father and daughter as they navigate societal expectations and the generation gap.
In the Iranian village, a young boy named Ahmed discovers that he accidentally took his classmate's notebook home. Determined to return it, he goes on a journey to find his friend's house. Along the way, Ahmed encounters various challenges and learns the importance of kindness and helpfulness. This minimalistic and postmodern film showcases the gentle and slow pace of rural life in Iran, while also exploring themes of friendship, family relationships, and education.
Happy End is a dark comedy that revolves around a dysfunctional wealthy French family. The story explores themes of boredom, emptiness, infidelity, and depression. It touches upon topics such as euthanasia, the European refugee crisis, religious extremism, and terrorism. The plot follows the family members as they navigate their personal struggles and dark secrets.
Close-Up is a docudrama that tells the story of a man in Tehran who is on trial for impersonating a filmmaker. Through reenactments and real-life footage, the film explores the blurred lines between reality and fiction.
Red Desert is a drama film directed by Michelangelo Antonioni. It follows a woman named Giuliana who struggles with loneliness, existentialism, and her deteriorating mental state in an industrial town. As she navigates her troubled marriage, Giuliana is haunted by her extramarital affair, depression, and her constant search for meaning in life. Set against the backdrop of a desolate landscape, the film explores themes of isolation, alienation, and the dehumanizing effects of industrialization.
Aparajito follows the life of a young boy named Apu as he navigates the challenges of growing up in post-colonial India. From his idyllic childhood in the holy city of Varanasi to his pursuit of education in Calcutta, Apu experiences the loss of loved ones, poverty, disillusionment, and the search for his own identity. This black-and-white film captures the beauty and struggles of a changing society.
Stranger Than Paradise follows a young man's life as he navigates through loneliness, cultural differences, and the pursuit of the American Dream. Set against the backdrop of snowy landscapes, the film takes a minimalist approach in its storytelling, exploring themes of friendship, identity, and the search for meaning.