women's lens.
These films explore romance through the lens of women behind the camera. Across decades and continents, they offer intimate portraits of desire, independence, and emotional connection, revealing how love shifts when women shape the story.
Beginning in the early 1970s with Elaine May’s sharp romantic comedy A New Leaf, female directors have carved out space for nuanced love stories that challenge expectations and center complex female perspectives. From the quiet intellectual marriage of Kathleen Collins’ Losing Ground to the groundbreaking queer romance of Donna Deitch’s Desert Hearts, these films expanded the possibilities of what romance on screen could look like.
In the decades that followed, directors like Alice Wu, Mia Hansen-Løve, and Joanna Hogg continued to explore modern intimacy with remarkable sensitivity, while contemporary voices such as Celine Song and Isabel Sandoval brought new cultural contexts and emotional textures to the genre. Spanning continents and generations, these films show how love can be tender, messy, transformative, and deeply personal. Here are twelve of them.
A New Leaf, 1971
Directed by: Elaine May
Starring: Walter Matthau, Elaine May
Henry Graham (Matthau), a wealthy bachelor who has squandered his fortune, devises a plan to marry a wealthy botanist, Henrietta Lowell (May), purely for financial survival. What begins as a cynical scheme evolves into an unexpected and awkward courtship. Elaine May’s debut feature balances dark comedy with an offbeat romantic tenderness.
My Brilliant Career, 1979
Directed by: Gillian Armstrong
Starring: Judy Davis, Sam Neill
Set in rural Australia at the turn of the twentieth century, Sybylla Melvyn (Davis) dreams of independence and literary success. When she meets the wealthy Harry Beecham (Neill), a sincere romance develops that forces her to confront the expectations placed on women of her era. Gillian Armstrong’s film is both a love story and a declaration of autonomy.
Losing Ground, 1982
Directed by: Kathleen Collins
Starring: Seret Scott, Bill Gunn
Sara Rogers (Scott), a philosophy professor studying the nature of ecstasy, retreats to the countryside with her painter husband Victor (Gunn). As Victor becomes infatuated with another woman, Sara finds herself drawn into a new emotional and artistic awakening. Kathleen Collins’ long-overlooked film offers a thoughtful exploration of marriage, creativity, and romantic desire.
Desert Hearts, 1985
Directed by: Donna Deitch
Starring: Helen Shaver, Patricia Charbonneau
In 1950s Nevada, Vivian Bell (Shaver), a reserved professor awaiting a divorce, meets the confident and free-spirited Cay Rivers (Charbonneau). Their relationship unfolds slowly in the open desert landscape as Vivian confronts her own emotional boundaries. Donna Deitch’s landmark film remains one of cinema’s most tender portrayals of unexpected love.
The Watermelon Woman, 1996
Directed by: Cheryl Dunye
Starring: Cheryl Dunye, Guinevere Turner
In Philadelphia, an aspiring filmmaker named Cheryl sets out to uncover the history of a forgotten Black actress from the 1930s known only as “The Watermelon Woman.” As she researches the past, Cheryl begins a relationship with a white woman named Diana. Cheryl Dunye’s groundbreaking film blends romance, history, and personal storytelling.
Fire, 1996
Directed by: Deepa Mehta
Starring: Shabana Azmi, Nandita Das
In contemporary Delhi, two women trapped in unhappy marriages find comfort and emotional connection with one another. As their relationship deepens into love, they must confront the cultural expectations surrounding marriage and family. Deepa Mehta’s film was both controversial and revolutionary upon release.
Saving Face, 2004
Directed by: Alice Wu
Starring: Michelle Krusiec, Lynn Chen
Wil (Krusiec), a young Chinese-American surgeon in New York, struggles to balance her secret relationship with dancer Vivian (Chen) while navigating her traditional family’s expectations. When her mother suddenly moves in with her after an unexpected pregnancy, both women must confront their views on love and identity. Alice Wu’s debut blends humor with heartfelt romance.
Beyond the Lights, 2014
Directed by: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Starring: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nate Parker
Noni Jean (Mbatha-Raw), a rising pop star under immense pressure from fame and industry expectations, forms a relationship with Kaz (Parker), the police officer assigned to protect her. Their connection offers her a chance to reclaim her voice and sense of self. Gina Prince-Bythewood’s film is a romantic drama about vulnerability, ambition, and authenticity.
Things to Come, 2016
Directed by: Mia Hansen-Løve
Starring: Isabelle Huppert, André Marcon
Nathalie (Huppert), a Parisian philosophy teacher, sees her life unravel when her husband leaves her after decades of marriage. As she rebuilds her independence, she begins to reexamine what love and freedom mean in adulthood. Mia Hansen-Løve’s contemplative film reflects on romance, autonomy, and reinvention.
The Souvenir, 2019
Directed by: Joanna Hogg
Starring: Honor Swinton Byrne, Tom Burke
In 1980s London, Julie (Swinton Byrne), a young film student, becomes involved with Anthony (Burke), an older man whose charm masks deeper struggles. Their relationship shapes both her emotional life and artistic ambitions. Joanna Hogg’s autobiographical drama examines the complicated education of first love.
Lingua Franca, 2019
Directed by: Isabel Sandoval
Starring: Isabel Sandoval, Eamon Farren
In Brighton Beach, Olivia (Sandoval), a Filipina trans woman seeking stability in the United States, forms a fragile connection with Alex (Farren), a man grappling with his own loneliness. As their relationship develops, Olivia must navigate the uncertainty of immigration status and emotional vulnerability. Isabel Sandoval’s film is a quiet portrait of longing and connection.
Past Lives, 2023
Directed by: Celine Song
Starring: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro
Nora (Lee) and Hae Sung (Yoo), childhood friends in South Korea, reconnect decades later after their lives have taken them to different continents. As they spend a week together in New York, they reflect on the paths not taken and the possibility of what their relationship might have been. Celine Song’s debut explores fate, memory, and the enduring pull of first love.
