 |  | Get Showtimes... |
Review #126 of 365
Film: Sisters in Law [NR] 106 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $10.50
Where Viewed: Landmark Varsity Theatre, Seattle, WA
When 1st Seen: 17 May 2006
Time: 9:20 p.m.
From Cannes to Telluride this fascinating film from Florence Ayisi and Kim Longinotto focuses on a state prosecutor named Vera Ngassa and a court president named Beatrice Ntuba as they work diligently with motherly justice to right the wrongs of their small region of Kumba in southwestern Cameroon. Having been variously ruled from 1472 – 1961 by Britain, France, and Germany each of which took stabs at carving the land in different ways none of which respected the natural boundaries between the indigenous people, the far western central African nation has had an incredibly stormy existence in modern times. Like so many African nations that were depleted of natural resources or used for slave labor by Euro-western nations and the United States, the country was left with little to go on once the Europeans finally gave up trying to rule the unstable regions leaving war lords or corrupt presidential regimes in charge. Many good people and billions of dollars of international aid have been lost trying to establish order, safety, prosperity, and security for the adults and children of the continent. Therefore, it was refreshing and inspiring to see these not only these women who are very much in charge of the law in Kumba, but revered for their positions, working as “Sisters in Law” to restore justice and freedom to the people. In particular, this film focuses on the stories and legal trials of three females—a battered wife accused of adultery, a girl just before the age of puberty who was forcibly raped, and a six-year old girl who was beaten with a coat hangar repeatedly by her aunt. It was pretty clear in watching the film that a few years ago nothing would have been done about any of these crimes. But now, not only was justice to be served, but a serious message was to be sent to all of the people of Cameroon that the old ways are gone and the old days are over. The rights of women and children are protected now by the laws of the nation. No longer do men have the right to do whatever they want to a woman simply because they are married. And no longer will children be treated as slave labor or be abused either sexually or physically. On top of being really thrilled by these advancements in human rights and protection,
"...fascinating film...important story and a good documentary film"I was fascinated by the form the Cameroon court system has taken. With the judge still wearing a wig like they do in British Courts and the emphasis on guilt beyond all reasonable doubt but with no jury present just witnesses and a judge to make the final call, it was definitely an interesting look at justice. It was entirely charming to see the male staff and police jump to respond to the orders of the judge and prosecutor. They clearly had no issue with following the orders from women. Moreover, the citizens up on trial for charges, once found guilty, did not object and demand a re-trial or beg for an appeal. Instead, they simply asked for the court’s mercy in sentencing which was handed down shortly upon conclusion of and the rendering of judgment in the trial. Unfortunately, for all their eloquence in requesting the court show leniency, the judge was out to prove a point and show that the court will no longer allow the honest citizens of the nation be harmed by those who simply don’t get it. So, a very common punishment was 6-12 months of imprisonment with hard labor and 20,0000 CFA francs. The Aunt who beat her niece repeatedly was given 3 years on three counts.
This was important story and a good documentary film. It was a bit on the long side, and the same point was hit time and time again. I would have liked to know a bit more about the legal system itself, and some of the time used for personal side interviews that really were not that useful or interesting might have been used to give a bit more on the history of the country, how the current system got into place against the odds, and how effective, in general, this system has proven. Still, Ms Ayisi and Ms Longinotto have done a good job of bringing this story to film.
No comments:
Post a Comment