Athena Film Festival 2019 Celebrates Women

The festival opens with the New York premiere of “Fast Color.” The film, directed by Julia Hart and written by Hart and Jordan Horowitz, stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw as a hero forced to run when her superhuman abilities are discovered. Years after abandoning her family, the only place she has left to hide is home. Lorraine Toussaint and David Strathairn co-star.

The festival closes with the New York premiere of the documentary “Knock Down the House,” directed by Rachel Lears, and featuring N.Y. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The film centers on a young bartender in the Bronx, a coal miner’s daughter in West Virginia, a grieving mother in Nevada and a registered nurse in Missouri, as they build a movement comprised of insurgent Congressional candidates who challenge powerful incumbents. One of their races ultimately becomes the most surprising political upset in recent United States history.

Other Athena Film Festival screenings include:

 “This Is Personal,” a documentary directed by Amy Berg, featuring Tamika Mallory and Erika Andiola. While the 2016 United States presidential election catalyzed the Women’s March and a new era of feminist activism, Tamika and Erika have been fighting for their communities for years. Their stories expose the fundamental connection between the personal and the political, and ask, how can intersectionality birth a new social justice movement?

 “Out of Blue,” written and directed by Carol Morley, will have its U.S. premiere at the festival. Patricia Clarkson stars as Detective Mike Hoolihan, who is called to investigate the shooting of a leading astrophysicist. As Mike tumbles down the rabbit hole of the disturbing case, she finds herself grappling with cosmic secrets that may hold the key to unraveling the crime, while throwing into doubt her very understanding of reality.

“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” directed by Marielle Heller and starring Melissa McCarthy, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for this role;

“On The Basis Of Sex” (2014 Athena List Winner), directed by Mimi Leder and starring Felicity Jones and Armie Hammer;

“The Favourite,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone.  Colman won this year’s Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Queen Anne in this film.

“Jinn,” written and directed by Nijla Mu’min and starring Zoe Renee;

“The Miseducation Of Cameron Post,” written and directed by Desiree Akhavan and starring Chloë Grace Moretz;

“Rafiki,” written and directed by Wanuri Kahiu;

“On Her Shoulders,” directed by Alexandria Bombach and featuring Nadia Murad;

“Whispering Truth To Power,” directed by Shameela Seedat and featuring Thuli Madonsela;

“Worlds Of Ursula K. Le Guin,” directed by Arwen Curry and featuring Ursula K. Le Guin.

Shorts include: “7 Planets,” written and directed by Milda Baginskaite; “Heed The Call,” written and directed by Laura G. Chirinos; “Masks,” written and directed by Mahaliyah Ayla O; and “A Woman’s

Place,” directed by Jen Zhouwenyue Xu.