A Servant Takes a Stand Against Sexist Male Politicians in Alicia MacDonald's Riveting Short

A domestic servant rebels against some shockingly sexist male politicians in a bitingly satirical short film by Alicia MacDonald, one of our top picks from the Saatchi's New Directors' Showcase this year.

"Domestic Policy," which was partially funded by Film London, features actress Lesley Manville in the lead role, in a "Downton-Abbey" style scenario serving tea to a group of male leaders discussing what should be done about women shortly after the First World War.

As their conversation about women's intelligence, bodies and capabilities becomes more and more outrageous (drawing modern parallels with current obsessions about women's bodies and the power men have over them), will she dare to speak out?

British director MacDonald cut her teeth in the industry as an assistant to various film directors including Mike Leigh, Kevin Macdonald and Justin Kurzel. In 2015 she wrote and directed her debut comedy short film "Otherwise Engaged," which played at film festivals. She has directed music videos for Izo Fitzroy, sketches for comedy duo Mid-Brow and branded content for Fitbit, and is currently in development on a comedy web series for C4 called "Working Girl."

Read more about the New Directors' Showcase, which this year runs in partnership with MPC, over at AdAge.com.