NIKI CARO

The Whale Rider filmmaker could return with two femaledriven movies this year. First up there’s World War II drama

The Zookeeper’s Wife (March 31), with Jessica Chastain as the real-life savior of hundreds of Jews and animals during the Nazi invasion in Poland. Also on the docket is biopic Callas, expected later this year, starring Noomi Rapace as opera singer Maria Callas.

JASON KEMPIN, GETTY IMAGES Antonina Zabinski (Jessica Chastain) saves both Jews and animals in The Zookeeper's Wife.

ANNE MARIE FOX, FOCUS FEATURES