Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Directors: Leena Yadav, Catherine Hardwicke, Lucía Puenzo, Maria Sole Tognazzi, Silvia Carobbio, Mipo O, Taraji P. Henson, Defiant Screen Entertainment
Here is a film about women, by women, for everyone. Tell It Like A Woman is a series of seven vignette-style stories, all compiled into one film about the many experiences of women.
This Oscar-nominated anthology, where the common theme is the representation of female protagonists, is filmed around the world by acclaimed female film directors boasting some admirable performances and irrefutably important themes.
Told in five languages, there is a universality to the message: while each of the very different women face a particular challenge in their life, they do it with resilience, determination and a courage that will make them stronger and more self-aware.
The poignant accounts weave together the obstacles facing women, of them overcoming the odds and, in some cases, they have stories that are tough to watch. Some of the films are inspired by true stories, touching on such subjects as domestic abuse, mental illness, motherhood, suicide, being trans, drug addiction, incarceration.
The women demonstrate not only bravery and empathy, but messages filtered from the film are about helping others, being given second chances, recognising one’s own worth, rising to the occasion and helping others.
The stories mostly revolve around women in crisis, but each segment is an inspiring and empowering story about women.
All directed and written by women, they show a diversity of identities and international settings, including the United States, India, Italy and Japan. Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight) and Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures) are among the brilliant directors.
With the Academy Award-nominated song Applause at its heart and talented performances from a cast including Cara Delevingne (TVs Only Murders In The Building, Paper Towns), Eva Longoria (Unplugging), Marcia Gay Harden (Fifty Shades trilogy) and Jennifer Hudson (Respect, Dreamgirls), Tell It Like A Woman is a touching drama that celebrates both femininity and humanity.
- Tell It Like A Woman launches on Digital and DVD on 10 May
