Petite Maman (2022)

The genres of science fiction and fantasy are not exclusively masculine territory. Over the last few decades, female directors have brought to the screen some of the most visually stunning, intellectually daring, and deeply moving works of speculative fiction. From big Hollywood productions like Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel to independent low-budget films, women filmmakers are making a name for themselves around the world. From behind the camera, they reshape and offer fresh perspectives on themes such as identity, survival, and wonder.

Below, you’ll find a list of five of the most recent movies centered on female protagonists, directed by women.

Petite Maman (2021)

2021 was a great year for cinema, especially considering that it followed the year when the Coronavirus pandemic was at its peak and essentially disrupted many important activities necessary for filmmaking. With the awards season in full swing, many amazing films are coming under the spotlight, but here are fifteen films I personally don’t see getting as much recognition as others but are definitely deserving of it. The list is numbered for convenience and not a ranking. You’ll see each film is independently rated under its short review. Keep scrolling to find names that should become part of your watchlist!

Coming from Iceland, Lamb is definitely a must-watch and not just for the horror enthusiast. It’s understated in its execution, meandering its way through plot points as if afflicted with the same foggy sluggishness that its setting is. It’s about a couple on a seemingly-deserted island, at least without any life as far as the eye can see except the sheep they breed. A cathartic journey for them in dealing with past trauma, the story is also a euphemism for a currently relevant issue. Remarkably restrained despite the potential to turn into a scarring watch, the film seems to gain from its restraint since the lack of antics, which suggests a self-awareness about itself, drives the message home, and with the slow camera motion, the visuals seem to write a poem themselves, culminating in a memorable climax that leaves just about enough hints to catch the euphemism.