sisters in law

this shows a. clear creative difference between Longinotto and other documentary filmmakers like Michael Moore who literally tells you what to think in his own voice and featuring heavily in his film.

ideologies and presentations

technologies and logistics

context and local knowledge

events and narrative

cameroon is seen as a lower middle income country

events in chronological order

this film follows the cases of predominantly domestic violence in cameroon.

this film was made on film rather than done digitally. this was much more dificult logistically but made for a more honest way of filmmaking.

this method of filmmaking requires much laster cameras meaning the filming process was not subtle. this meant that the participants of the film were forced to get used to the camera and the events were allowed to happen around it.

this did lead to some issues as the some of the footage was lost and serious reshoots and rethinks were needed.

thi led longinotto to never record on film again.

the sound was recorded using modern technologies as it was easier logistically. the sound was unimportant to the result of the film.

the editing in theis film was mainly used for continuity purposes and to make the film flow.

there are no especially artistic cuts that are made to convey hidden meaning

you can see some huge cuts in time that are hidden in smaller less dramatic cuts.

for example in one of the courtroom scenes you can see the jidge as a brooch that disappears in a cut.

this because it is a cut across an entire week.

other cases include rape, kidnap and child abuse.

unusually a lot of the prosecutors in this legal system are woman. hence the name, sisters in law.

this film shows a majority of male offenders being prosecuted by woman. this goes directly against what you would expect in a developing country.

longinotto does this to show us what these countries are actually like. however she doesn't make sedes or persuade us to choose one side over another in this film

this film does a good job of remaining neutral as it makes sure to show female offenders and male prosecutors as well.

examples of these include the grandmother who tortures her grandchild and the bloke who runs the court

Mr Ngongwen is accused of kidnapping his daughter while the child’s mother is away.

Amina begins divorce proceedings against Abu Bakari.

Sonita accuses her neighbour, Jeff Takalwi, of raping her. We see elements of the trial, verdict and sentencing.

Amina begins criminal actions against Abu Bakari for spousal abuse.

Mr Che Stephen takes Manka to see Vera Ngassa. Lum Rose is brought in to her the allegations against her.

Ladi begins criminal actions against Reverend Cole for spousal abuse. We see elements of the trial, verdict and sentencing.

The outcome of Amina’s trial against Abu Bakari.

Manka is collected by her two uncles. The family confront Lum Rose and we see her conviction and sentencing.

The outcome of Amina’s divorce petition against Abu Bakari.

Vera Ngassa visits Lum Rose in Kumba State Prison.

Verga Ngassa introduces Amina and Ladi to a class of Law students. The film ends on a still frame of these two participants

it has a population of 25 million people

this film was made in the town of Kumba, Cameroon. this is a small fairly rural town with a reasonably large population.

this means there was enough legal activity to follow but not too much that it would be rushed.

it is fairly unusual to see courtrooms with many woman in high places in cameroon so you feel this was chosen specifically.

Kumba is a metropolitan city found in the Meme department in the Southwest Region, Western Cameroon, popularly referred to as "K-town".

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