Sisters-in-Law

Sisters-in-Law

About

Sisters-in-Law | , | | | 104 minutes

Winner of two awards at the Cannes Film Festival, including the prestigious Prix Art et Essai, Sisters-in-Law is a fascinating, moving and often hilarious look at the work of one small courthouse in Cameroon where two woman determined to change a village are making progress that could change the world. The tough-minded state prosecutor Vera Ngassa and Court President Beatrice Ntuba are working to help women in their Muslim village find the courage to fight often-difficult cases of abuse, despite pressures from their family and their community to remain silent. We meet six-year-old Manka, who is covered in scars and has run away from an abusive aunt; Amina, who is seeking a divorce to put an end to brutal beatings by her husband; and the pre-teen Sonita, who has daringly accused her neighbor of rape. With fierce compassion, Ngassa and Ntuba dispense wisdom, wisecracks and justice in fair measure, handing down stiff sentences to those convicted. Inspiring and uplifting, Sisters-in-Law presents a strong and positive view of African women and captures the emerging spirit of courage, and the very real possibility of change.

Awards

Prix Art et Essai, Cannes Film Festival

Audience Award, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, 2005

Best Documentary on a Contemporary issue, Grierson Award

Social Justice Award for Documentary Film, Santa Barbara International Film Festival