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 their country. 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.
"**** Highly Recommended. Editor's Choice." Video Librarian
“Highly Recommended. Multi-faceted. Refreshing to see [African women] portrayed as powerful, confident and in control of their own destinies.” Educational Media Reviews Online
“Knocked me flat and earned my tears of shock and joy.” Vancouver International Film Festival
“One of the best documentaries of all time.” Telluride Film Festival
"POSITIVELY SOARS…Who are these women, and can they please take over the world soon?" Nathan Lee, The New York Times
"Illuminating, entertaining... you might start to seriously wonder if there's a way to get [Vera Ngassa] to run for office here in America." Gene Seymour, Newsday
"A triumphal portrait of women taking matters into their own hands."Joshua Land, Time Out
"The women are so compelling – and the sense of justice so satisfying, I can’t imagine any audience resisting SISTERS IN LAW." Stuart Klawans, The Nation
"This is a story of real heroism that will leave you weeping, laughing and singing...My early candidate for breakout feel-good documentary of the year." Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com
"INSPIRATIONAL...A family-court western in which a pair of tart-talking gunslingers...bring justice." J. Hoberman,The Village Voice
“A well-crafted, focused film …plays like a quiet miracle.” Film Quarterly
Citation
Main credits
Longinotto, Kim (film director)
Longinotto, Kim (film producer)
Longinotto, Kim (photographer)
Ayisi, Florence (film director)
Other credits
Camera, Kim Longinotto; film editor, Ollie Huddleston.
