With National Women's Month drawing to a close, it's only right we take this opportunity to celebrate just a few of the remarkable female directors of the past decade.
While there are countless works that we could include in this list, as per usual, we have to keep it to just five:
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The Power Of The Dog, 2021
An awards season favorite, this Netflix original takes an often stubbornly predictable genre that is the western, and tackles its often problematic take on masculinity head-on.
As the classic era of the western ranch begins to come to a close, The Power Of The Dog captures a successful family of cattle ranchers in Montana. The family, though, finds itself split down the middle, with the modernized younger brother George, played by Jesse Plemons, often finding himself at odds with his older brother Phil, played by Benedict Cumberbatch.
This divide is tested further when George weds a local widower by the name of Rose, played by Kirsten Dunst. Phil takes it upon himself to push Rose to the edge of her wits, deciding to take her son Peter, played by Kodi Smit-McPhee, under his wing in order to further isolate Rose from the world.
Among many other subjects - mental health, alcoholism, and sexuality in the west are all questioned in this powerful work by director Jane Campion. Stunningly acted and intelligently written by Campion, this movie excellently depicts the effects of toxic masculinity in a way that could still be applied in today's society.
The Power Of The Dog can be watched via subscription on Netflix.
Lady Bird, 2017
Directed by one of the most well renowned female directors of our generation, Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird is an excellent take on the often strained relationship between a young woman who's trying to find her way in life, and a mother whose always doing her best to look out for her family.
The movie follows Lady Bird, played by Saoirse Ronan, as she navigates the everyday struggles of most teenagers, pushing for the future she wants, finding her way with the opposite sex, and finding herself. Meanwhile, her mother, played by Laurie Metcalf, does her best to steer her often emotional daughter to what she believes is the correct path in life.
This work doesn't hold back on showing the nitty-gritty side of mother-daughter relationships. But make no mistake, this film is, at its core, about the love they have for one another despite their differences.
Ronan and Metcalf are on top form in this coming-of-age tale which can be watched via subscription on Netflix.
Nomadland, 2020
Living with nothing but the bare basics in her van, Nomadland follows a mentally strong but financially struggling Fern, played by Frances McDormand, as she travels the nation in search of work, friendship, and meaning.
This journey of self-discovery is both heart-warming and gut-wrenching simultaneously as it attempts to nail down what is truly important in a person's life.
Beautifully shot in some awe-inspiring locations, Chloé Zhao's Nomadland is available via subscription on Hulu.
The Babadook, 2014
The second Australasian movie on this list, joining The Power Of The Dog, Jennifer Kent's The Babadook is as tense and unpredictable a horror as there has been the last decade.
The story of a monster in a book comes to life, The Babadook bares witness to its namesake torturing a widowed mother and her young son as he attempts to worm his way into their home.
Featuring as much psychological torture as physical, Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman are excellent and believable throughout, with Davis bringing a truly battle-hardened presence to the role.
If you dare give this a watch, The Babadook can be seen via subscription on Amazon Prime Video.
You Were Never Really Here, 2017
Quite possibly one of Joaquin Phoenix's best performances to date, this visceral and occasionally barbaric narrative follows a mentally scarred former FBI agent turned hitman.
Without giving away too much, the bare bones of this involve Joe (Phoenix) attempting to rescue a young Nina, played by Ekaterina Samsonov, from a high-profile sex trafficking ring. Unafraid to use any and all means necessary to stop anyone who gets in his way, this movie isn't one for the faint-hearted.
This isn't an easy watch at times, but it's one you'll not forget in a hurry if you are willing to give it a try.
Lynne Ramsay's You Were Never Really Here is available via subscription on Amazon Prime Video.
Local Lead
Miss Juneteenth, 2020
The debut feature film by Fort Worth filmmaker Channing Godfrey Peoples, Miss Juneteenth was shot on location back in 2019.
Miss Juneteenth follows a former beauty pageant winner, who is doing her utmost to help her teenage daughter follow in her footsteps at the pageant, and ultimately enjoy a better life. At its heart, it is about just how much a mother would do/give up in order to support her child.
Soon set to be adapted for television by Godfrey Peoples, Miss Juneteenth can be watched via subscription on Amazon Prime Video/BET+.
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