Neneh Superstar is a French film about a little, second-generation African girl who aspires to dance at the world-famous Paris Opera Ballet. It seems all the odds are against her – particularly her hostile teacher, ballet superstar Marianne, played by French superstar Maïwenn (Jeanne du Barry).

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Simon Morris checks out another week entirely devoted to women-driven movies, and wonders if, finally, it’s no longer an issue. They include Mozart’s Sister, Neneh Superstar, New Zealand-Samoan feelgood tale Tinā, and Oscar-nominee I’m still here.

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Mozart’s Sister is a documentary of the other Mozart, Wolfgang’s sister Maria Anna. Like her famous brother, she was a child prodigy musician, by all accounts she was a very talented composer, so why is she all but forgotten? Until now, that is.

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I’m Still Here is a multi-award winning film from Brazilian director Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries). It stars Oscar nominee Fernanda Torres as a mother whose husband has been “disappeared” by the military dictatorship, and what she has to go through to find the truth.

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Tinā is another crowd-pleasing Kiwi Samoan film, like Three Wise Cousins, Sione’s Wedding and The Orator. Directed by Miki Magasiva (TV’s The Panthers), it stars the great Anapela Polataivao as a grieving Mum who forms a choir at an exclusive – and very white – school in Christchurch.

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Simon Morris looks at two films with a lot riding on them – the new Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, and the introduction of a new Captain America: Brave New World. But he wonders if Andrea Arnold’s miniscule Bafta nominee, Bird, might be a more helpful way to go.

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Bird is the latest from critically acclaimed British film-maker Andrea Arnold (Fish Tank, Big Little Lies.). It was a nominee at both the Cannes Film Festival and the Baftas, and tells the story of a 12 year old girl with an unexpected new friend. Also stars Barry Keoghan (The Banshees of Innisherin).

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Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy sees the former Noughties party girl struggling with solo motherhood, and also juggling two conflicting suitors. Starring Renée Zellweger, with Hugh Grant, Leo Woodall, Emma Thompson and dozens more familiar faces!

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