Sisters in Law & God Sleeps in Rwanda

Sisters in Law

Cameroon - UK / 104min / 2005 / DVD

Winner of the Prix Art et Essai at the Cannes Film Festival and screened to acclaim at more than 90 festivals around the world, SISTERS IN LAW is the latest documentary from internationally renowned director Kim Longinotto, co-directed by Florence Ayisi.

In the little town of Kumba, Cameroon, there have been no convictions in spousal abuse cases for 17 years. But two women determined to change their community are making progress that could change the world. This fascinating, often hilarious doc follows the work of State Prosecutor Vera Ngassa and Court President Beatrice Ntuba as they help women fight often-difficult cases of abuse, despite pressures from family and their community to remain silent. Six-year-old Manka is covered in scars and has run away from an abusive aunt, Amina is seeking a divorce to put an end to brutal beatings by her husband, the pre-teen Sonita has daringly accused her neighbor of rape.

With fierce compassion, the two feisty and progressive-minded women dispense wisdom, wisecracks and justice in fair measure, handing down stiff sentences to those convicted. A cross between “Judge Judy” and “The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” SISTERS IN LAW has audiences cheering when justice is served.

Credits

A film by Florence Ayisi and Kim Longinotto

Awards

Munich Documentary FF, Special Documentary Prize
Commonwealth Film Festival, Audience Award
Human Rights Nights FF, Italy, Jury Prize
The Tel-Aviv Intl Documentary FF, Best Intl Film
Belfast Film Festival, 1st Maysles Award
Al-Jazeera TV Festival, Silver Award
British Independent Film Awards, Best Doc Nominee
Grierson Award, Best Doc on Contemporary Issue, UK
RAI Film Festival, Oxford, Basil Wright Award
Santa Barbara Film Festival, Social Justice Award
Royal Anthropological Institute FF, Audience Award
Int'l Doc Film Fest, Amsterdam, Audience Award
Hawaii Int'l Film Festival, Best Documentary
Cannes FF, Special Mention Europa Cinemas
Cannes Film Festival, Prix Art et Essai

God Sleeps in Rwanda

Rwanda / 28min / 2004 / DVD

Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary Short!

Uncovering amazing stories of hope in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, Academy Award-Nominee GOD SLEEPS IN RWANDA captures the spirit of five courageous women as they rebuild their lives, redefine women’s roles in Rwandan society and bring hope to a wounded nation.

The 1994 Rwandan Genocide left the country nearly 70 percent female, handing Rwanda’s women an extraordinary burden and an unprecedented opportunity. Girls are attending school in record numbers, and women now make up a large part of the country’s leadership. Working with two cameras and no crew except for their translator—a genocide survivor herself—the filmmakers uncover incredible stories: an HIV-positive policewoman raising four children alone and attending night school to become a lawyer, a teenager who has become head of household for her four siblings, and a young woman orphaned in her teens who is now the top development official in her area. Heart-wrenching and inspiring, this powerful film is a brutal reminder of the consequences of the Rwandan tragedy, and a tribute to the strength and spirit of those who are moving forth.

Credits

A film by Kimberlee Acquaro and Stacy Sherman, Narrated by Rosario Dawson

Awards

World Cinema Short Award, Phoenix Film Festival
Audience Award, Aspen Shorts Fest
Audience Award, Silverdocs
Jury Special Mention, Silverdocs/AFI Film Festival
Critic's Choice Award, Jackson Hole Docuweek IDA
Audience Award, Palm Springs Fest of Short Films
Festival Award, Ojai Film Festival
Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary Short

Links

Women Make Movies