Even though it’s 2017, we are still far away from achieving gender equality. For this reason, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) feels that the issue of gender inequality in the industry must be taken seriously. IMDb has recently introduced their new “F- Rating” which classifies films that are either directed by a woman, written by a woman or feature women in important roles that contribute to the plot.
This rating highlights the lack of women’s involvement in the industry, as there are only about 22,000 F- rated films among the 1.1 million films on the database. The few films, 22,166 to be exact, are magnificent results of women’s talent, hard work and dedication, and are truly worthy of the special focus.
Here are some of the best F-rated films of 2016 according to IMDb:
Bridget Jones’ BabyBridget Jones’ Baby unfolds the story of a middle aged single woman and how she encounters the world, with a comic approach. Bridget Jones goes through her pregnancy as a single woman who cannot identify the father of her child from two men. It is a comedy; but the struggles, challenges and mishaps Bridget goes through aptly portrays the difficult lives of single women in society. The role of Bridget Jones is remarkably played by Renée Zellweger. The film is directed by Sharon Maguire. Two of the film’s writers are females - Helen Fielding (the original creator of the fictional character of Bridget Jones) and Emma Thompson.
Hidden FiguresThe film celebrates an untold, unnoticed story. Hidden Figures is a biographical film about a group of overlooked African-American female mathematicians who played a vital role at NASA during the Space Race, and helped them to win. The film is based on the book, Hidden Figures: The Story of the African-American Women Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly. Taraji P Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe play the lead roles in the films.
Toni ErdmannDirected, written and co-produced by Maren Ade, Toni Erdmann is a German-Austrian comedy-drama. The film is about a busy working woman and the difficult relationship with her father. The father plays practical jokes and embarrasses his daughter, returns back to his home in Germany, but shows up again in the alias of Toni Erdmann.
American HoneyThe film narrates the story of a teenage American girl named Star (played by Sasha Lane). Star is from a troubled family who chooses to run away with a group of young girls and boys who sell magazines door to door. The film depicts the journey of Star’s life, her dreams and love. American Honey is written and directed by Andrea Arnold.
The InnocentsSet in the post-World War II era in Poland, The Innocents is based on the experiences of Madeleine Pauliac - a female French doctor who takes care of nuns who were raped and impregnated by Soviet soldiers. The film is a wonderful result of the hard work put in by several women, both in front of and behind the camera. It is directed and co-written by Anne Fontaine; her co-writers include Sabrina B Karine and Alice Vial. Lou de Laâge, Agata Kulesza and Agata Buzek feature in the film as leading characters.
Always ShineThe film is a story about two girls who are best friends and travel north from Los Angeles to Big Sur for a weekend vacation. Beth, played by Caitlin FitzGerald, is somewhat successful in her commercial film career while Anna, played by Mackenzie Davis, is a struggling actor. During the weekend getaway, the jealousy and rivalry between them intensifies and leads to a murder. The psychological thriller is directed by Sophia Takal.
Certain WomenCertain Women follows three women and their intertwined lives in a small-town in USA. Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams, and Laura Dern play the lead roles in the film. Written and directed by Kelly Reichardt, the film is an American drama based on Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It – a short story collection by Maile Meloy.
Things to ComeThe film revolves around a teacher, soldiering through her mother’s death, dealing with a cheating husband and ends up losing her job in the meanwhile. The film is a French-German drama directed and written by Mia Hansen-Løve. Isabelle Huppert plays the lead role.
Queen of KatweIt is a biographical sports drama, based on the life of Phiona Mutesi – an Ugandan chess champion. The film shows the struggles and anguish of Phiona’s underprivileged life as a child when she lived in a large slum called Katwe in Kampala, Uganda. The film follows her introduction with the game of chess and her brilliant success in it. The film is directed by Mira Nair and stars Madina Nalwanga as Phiona Mutesi.
PrevengePrevenge, a British comedy slash drama is written and directed by Alice Lowe. The reason why the film made this list is because Lowe herself plays the role of the protagonist, Ruth- a pregnant woman loses her husband in an accident. Her misanthropic unborn baby dictates her actions, holding society responsible for the absence of a father, coaching her to lure and ultimately kill unsuspecting victims.
Watch at least some of these films, and you’ll see why women and men need to be treated equally, because these films are proof that they really are equal.