American Woman

Adapted from Susan Choi’s celebrated novel, American Woman is a reimagining of one of the most astonishing eras of American history and centres on 25-year-old former radical Jenny Shimada (Hong Chau). Adept at living off the grid ever since she masterminded an act of violence against the American government, Shimada agrees to take care of three fugitives who are on the run. One of them is the kidnapped granddaughter of a wealthy newspaper magnate (Sarah Gadon), who has become a national celebrity for embracing her captors’ ideology and joining their revolutionary cell. Semi Chellas makes her feature directorial debut with this fictional account of the real-life woman who spent time with heiress Patricia Hearst after she was abducted.

NOTE: Film clip contains Mature Language, and is courtesy of Elevation Pictures. American Woman will have its Canadian Premiere at TIFF 2019. This film should not be confused with the 2018 film also titled American Woman, directed by Jake Scott and costarring Sienna Miller, Christina Hendricks, and others, which had its World Premiere at TIFF 2018.