Women Is Losers is a 2021 American drama film written and directed by Lissette Feliciano. Starring Lorenza Izzo, Bryan Craig, Chrissie Fit, Simu Liu, Steven Bauer, Liza Weil, Cranston Johnson, Alejandra Miranda, Shalim Ortiz and Lincoln Bonilla, it follows the life of a young woman from her formative years to adulthood in 1960s San Francisco. The film's title is derived from a Janis Joplin song.[1]
| Women is Losers | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Lissette Feliciano |
| Written by | Lissette Feliciano |
| Produced by | Andrea Chung, Lissette Feliciano, David Ortiz |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Farhad Ahmed Dehlvi |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Frederik Wiedmann |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | HBO Max |
Release dates |
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Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 16, 2021, and was released on October 25, 2021, on HBO Max.
Plot
editIn 1967 San Francisco, Celina Guerrera is a studious teenager who attends a Catholic high school and is from a conservative immigrant family. When the course of her life is altered by an unplanned pregnancy, she sets out to rise above poverty and invest in a future for herself.
Cast
edit- Lorenza Izzo as Celina
- Bryan Craig as Mateo
- Chrissie Fit as Marty
- Simu Liu as Gilbert
- Steven Bauer as Don Juan
- Liza Weil as Minerva
- Cranston Johnson as Calvin
- Alejandra Miranda as Dona Carolina
- Shalim Ortiz as Carlos
- Lincoln Bonilla as Christian
Production
editIn February 2019, Deadline Hollywood announced Lorenza Izzo would star in the feminist indie drama written and directed by Lissette Feliciano in her feature directorial debut.
In March 2019, it was announced that Bryan Craig hard joined the cast,[2] and The Hollywood Reporter announced that Liza Weil and Simu Liu had joined.[3] The film was shot on location in San Francisco.[4]
Release
editThe film premiered at South by Southwest on March 16, 2021.[5] In September 2021, HBO Max acquired distribution rights and set it for an October 25, 2021 release.[6]
Reception
editWomen Is Losers holds a 72% approval rating on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, whose consensus reads: "While it might have benefited from a subtler approach to its message, Women Is Losers is elevated by outstanding work from lead Lorenza Izzo."[7] Kate Erbland of IndieWire gave the film a B−, writing Women Is Losers “is an infectious and auspicious debut…surely the start of something wonderful for [Lissette] Feliciano”.[4]
Variety also praised Izzo's performance, with critic Tomris Laffly saying: “Izzo delivers a vibrant performance that reinforces her fascinating acting range…It’s a rewarding experience to watch Izzo thread a tricky line with ease here, emitting both a childlike innocence and gradual steeliness that slowly yet convincingly sharpens and matures”.[8]
Accolades
editThe film has won numerous accolades, including:
- Audience Award, 2021 Mill Valley Film Festival
- Richard D. Propes Social Impact Award for Narrative Feature, 2021 Heartland International Film Festival
- Best Narrative Feature, 2021 Cordillera International Film Festival
- American Independents Award, 2021 Cleveland International Film Festival
- Best Narrative Feature award, 2021 Columbus International Film & Animation Festival[9]
- Best Narrative Feature, 2021 Naples International Film Festival
- Best Narrative Feature, 2021 Oxford Film Festival
- Best First Time Director, 2021 San Diego International Film Festival
- Best Actress and Best Director, Breckenridge Film Festival
- Best Editor, Ouray International Film Festival
- Bay Area Filmmaker Award, 2021 Sonoma International Film Festival
References
edit- ^ León, Concepción de (October 19, 2021). "'Women Is Losers' Review: A Woman Beaten but Not Defeated". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 19, 2019). "'General Hospital' Star Bryan Craig Boards Indie Feature 'Women Is Losers'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
- ^ Sun, Rebecca (March 18, 2019). "Simu Liu, Liza Weil Join Feminist Indie Drama 'Women Is Losers'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ a b Erbland, Kate (March 16, 2021). "'Women Is Losers' Review: Feminist History Gets a Vibrant, Scrappy New Chapter in '60s-Set Dramedy". IndieWire. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ^ Day-Ramos, Dino (February 10, 2021). "SXSW Film Festival Unveils Full Lineup; Charli XCX Quarantine Feature To Close Fest; Tom Petty Docu Set As Centerpiece". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (September 14, 2021). "HBO Max Lands SWSW Drama 'Women Is Losers' In U.S. Deal, Gets October Premiere Date". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
- ^ "Women is Losers (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ Laffly, Tomris (March 16, 2021). "'Women Is Losers' Review: A Well-Meaning but Uneven '60s-Set Feminist Statement". Variety. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ^ "2021". Columbus International Film & Animation Festival. Retrieved October 5, 2021.