It’s that time of year again. Sundays are back to having meaning and the days are shortening by the minute. You know what that means? More time to watch films in the evenings. And there is a whole genre dedicated to films about school days. Here are some woman-directed back to school recommendations to get you started:
The Edge of Seventeen (Kelly Fremon Craig, 2016): One of the most honest and touching portrayals of a teenage girl dealing with grief and sexuality and other complicated feelings. Hailee Steinfeld’s character Nadine is selfish and misdirected at times, but it’s all a part of the journey.
Where to watch: Netflix.
Clueless (Amy Heckerling, 1995): A classic of the genre, Clueless’s influence can still be seen today. From the iconic outfits to the memorable one-liners, there’s no denying the film’s cultural impact. One of the best – if not the best – adaptations of Jane Austen’s Emma there is (and there are many).
Where to watch: Prime Video.
32A (Marian Quinn, 2007): In 32A we meet Maeve Brennan, a girl on the cusp of adulthood. Or that’s what it feels like to Maeve and her friends anyway. In reality, they’re only fourteen and a long way off. It’s all ahead of them; puberty, first love, heartbreak, and so much more.
Where to watch: Volta.
Booksmart (Olivia Wilde, 2019): The simplest way to describe Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut would be as a “female Superbad“, but Booksmart is about so much more than one last high school party. It’s about friendship and growing up and finding the balance between achieving your goals and having a good time.
Where to watch: Netflix.
Bend it Like Beckham (Gurinder Chadha, 2002): Another absolute classic, Bend it Like Beckham tells the story of Jess (Parminder Nagra), a girl who has to fight against her parents and wider cultural expectations to achieve her dream of being a professional soccer player. Director Gurinder Chadha is also responsible for 2008’s Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging.
Where to watch: Prime Video.
Now and Then (Lesli Linka Glatter, 1995): Now and Then sees a four childhood friends – now in their 30s – reminiscing back to the summer of their twelfth year. Filled with nostalgia and fond memories.
Not available on streaming currently.
Rocks (Sarah Gavron, 2019): In Rocks, a group of school friends band together when Olushola (Bukky Bakray) arrives home one day and finds that her mother in gone. Between them, they help Olushola, whose nickname is Rocks, look after her younger brother and avoid social services. It is a heartwarming tale of friendship.
Where to watch: Netflix.
