'Catherine Called Birdy' Trailer: Lena Dunham Tackles Medieval Feminism With A Modern Twist

Different century, same quest for gender equality.

Lena Dunham's third feature, 'Catherine Called Birdy', is set in a medieval English village in 1290, where teenage Lady Catherine (Bella Ramsey) is tasked with finding a husband. Her father (Andrew Scott) is determined to capitalize on his eldest daughter Catherine's marriage in order to save their mansion. The only problem ? Tween Catherine refuses to comply.

"Would I choose to die rather than be forced into marriage?" Catherine (Ramsey) says in the trailer. “I don't think either option is attractive. Or just."

Written and directed by Emmy-nominated Dunham and adapted from Karen Cushman's novel of the same name, "Catherine Called Birdy" will premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival before debuting in theaters on June 23. September before streaming worldwide on Prime Video on October 7.

Joe Alwyn, Ralph Ineson, Billie Piper, Isis Hainsworth and Russell Brand also star in the coming of age article.

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"Catherine Called Birdy" is produced by writer/director Dunham, Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan and Jo Wallett.

Dunham, who debuted her second feature 'Sharp Stick' at Sundance 2022 and also celebrated 'Girls' 10th anniversary this year, considered 'Catherine, Called Birdy' to be the "most ambitious project" ever. his career.< /p>

"I wanted to highlight this girl who was living at the wrong time," Dunham told Teen Vogue. "If she lived in 2022, she'd be a pretty classic tomboy or able to explore the gender binary. She could play any sport she wanted. All her dreams, which in 1290 are to go to the hanging and running without a skirt, would be doable. But, as we know, there are still huge challenges to being a woman these days and a teenager."

Dunham continued: "While it seems a long way off for a 13-year-old to be asked to marry a 50-year-old, we still have many barbaric customs that control how people's bodies are treated. There are so many aspects of modern life that still speak to the themes of the book I really love that we were able to highlight aspects of that, and how the world has changed but also how it remained the same. And do it with a little humor."

Watch the trailer below.

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