Women and Hollywood's Weekly Newsletter
June 27 and July 4
NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
In this week’s interviews we heard from Brett Story, co-director of documentary “Union,” which follows a group of ordinary workers learning in real time to become labor organizers, Sam Bailey, who directed the first three episodes of new Marvel TV series “Ironheart,” and Lauren Cioffi, who produced “Sally,” the new documentary about the iconic astronaut Sally Ride.
Today’s newsletter is a double-header, due to the holiday next week. In the meantime, keep an eye out for an interview with “The Queen of My Dreams” filmmaker Fawzia Mirza arriving in your inbox during the week.
Shonda Rhimes is set to be awarded the Edinburgh TV festival’s inaugural Edinburgh Fellowship this year, in recognition of “her long-standing, ground-breaking and hugely influential contribution to the TV industry.” The “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” creator, whose executive producer credits also include “Bridgerton,” “How to Get Away With Murder,” and this year’s “The Residence,” will also take part in an “In Conversation” event at the festival which takes place August 19-22 and celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Rhimes’ media company Shondaland, of which she is CEO, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Nia DaCosta’s “Hedda” will have its World Premiere at TIFF this fall, with the film named among the first slate of titles to be announced by the fest, as part of its Official Selection. Starring Tessa Thompson in the titular role, the film is a reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s 1891 stage drama, “Hedda Gabler,” about a bored newlywed - written and directed by DaCosta, the film sees her reunite with Thompson, who starred in her debut, “Little Woods.” TIFF runs September 4-14 this year.
All synopses are courtesy of press materials, unless otherwise noted.
FILMS ABOUT WOMEN AND NON-GENDERED PERSONS OPENING AND COMING TO STREAMING/VOD
The Old Guard 2 – Directed by Victoria Mahoney; Written by Sarah L. Walker and Greg Rucka (Available on Netflix July 2)
Andy (Charlize Theron) and her team of immortal warriors are back, with a renewed sense of purpose in their mission to protect the world. With Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts) still in exile after his betrayal, and Quynh (Veronica Ngô) out for revenge after escaping her underwater prison, Andy grapples with her newfound mortality as a mysterious threat emerges that could jeopardize everything she’s worked towards for thousands of years.