The Story of A Woman's Name
A Woman's Name tells the story of a single mother who takes on a new job, only to find herself caught in a workplace culture saturated with sexual harassment. The film doesn't shy away from the daily indignities and power imbalances that come with her situation — the casual comments, the unwanted attention, the way institutions often fail women when they speak up. It's a character-driven piece that uses her struggle as a lens to examine how harassment operates not as isolated incidents but as a systemic problem woven into the fabric of her workplace. The narrative unfolds across 98 minutes with the kind of focused intensity that allows viewers to sit with the protagonist's frustration and exhaustion.
Behind the Making of A Woman's Name
Director Marco Tullio Giordana, known for his socially conscious filmmaking, co-wrote and helmed this 2018 production alongside a team of collaborators that included Lumière & Co., RAI Cinema, and the Italian Ministry of Culture. The film starred Cristiana Capotondi in the lead role, with veteran actress Adriana Asti in a supporting capacity — and that decision paid off in recognition. Asti's performance earned her a Nastro d'argento nomination for best supporting actress, one of Italy's most prestigious acting honors. The broader production also picked up two Globo d'oro nominations, including best actress for Capotondi and best score, signaling that critics and industry voters took the film's artistic ambitions seriously. RAI Cinema's involvement as a co-producer underscores the film's roots in Italian public broadcasting, giving it a certain gravitas within the national film landscape. When Movie OTT tracks releases like this, it's worth noting the institutional backing — it often correlates with films that have something genuine to say.
What Makes A Woman's Name Stand Out
Here's what strikes me about this film: it doesn't treat harassment as a plot device to be resolved in the third act. Instead, it treats it as a texture of daily life — the way a coworker's hand lingers a moment too long, the way a superior's joke lands differently when power is involved, the way silence becomes complicity. Capotondi's performance carries the emotional weight of someone who's trying to keep her job, support her family, and maintain her dignity all at once, which is exhausting work that doesn't always photograph as dramatic cinema. That's partly why the Globo d'oro recognition for her acting mattered — she wasn't playing a victim performing victimhood for the camera; she was playing a woman trying to survive.
What's striking is how the film refuses easy catharsis. You won't find a triumphant courtroom scene or a moment where the protagonist delivers a speech that silences the room. Instead, Giordana seems interested in the psychological toll of navigating institutional indifference, the way women often have to choose between speaking up and keeping their paycheck. The supporting cast, anchored by Asti, adds layers of complication — not everyone is a villain, which somehow makes the situation more insidious. The film's IMDb rating of 5.6/10 suggests it's divisive, which isn't surprising for a drama that refuses to provide comfortable answers. Some viewers likely wanted more catharsis; others found the refusal to deliver it more honest.
Where to Stream A Woman's Name Online
A Woman's Name is currently available on major OTT services, and you can check the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page to see which platforms carry it in your region. Streaming availability shifts regularly, so that widget is your best bet for real-time accuracy on whether it's on Netflix, Prime Video, or another service right now. Movie OTT keeps that information updated so you don't have to hunt across five different apps. If you're planning to watch, grab the details there and you're ready to go.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed A Woman's Name?
Marco Tullio Giordana co-wrote and directed the film. He's an Italian filmmaker with a track record of socially engaged cinema that examines power structures and institutional failure.
Q: What awards did A Woman's Name win or get nominated for?
The film earned a Nastro d'argento nomination for Adriana Asti's supporting performance and two Globo d'oro nominations, including best actress for Cristiana Capotondi and best score. It didn't sweep major ceremonies, but the recognition from Italian film organizations validated its artistic approach.
Q: How long is A Woman's Name?
The film runs 98 minutes, which gives Giordana enough room to develop the protagonist's situation without padding the narrative.
Q: Is A Woman's Name based on a true story?
The film isn't an adaptation of a specific true story, though its themes of workplace harassment are drawn from real experiences. It's an original screenplay that uses a fictional character to explore systemic problems.
Q: What's the plot of A Woman's Name?
A single mother starts a new job and encounters a culture of sexual harassment in her workplace. The film follows how she navigates this hostile environment and the toll it takes on her.
Final Thoughts on A Woman's Name
A Woman's Name isn't an easy watch, and it doesn't pretend to be. It's the kind of film that lingers because it refuses to wrap things up neatly — because real life often doesn't. If you're drawn to character studies about women navigating institutional power and you don't mind ambiguity, this 2018 drama deserves your time. It's worth seeking out, especially if you appreciate filmmakers willing to sit with discomfort rather than resolve it.
