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Sisters in Law

Play trailer Poster for Sisters in Law 2005 1h 48m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
92% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Following the caseload of a group of feisty female legal professionals tackling cases from marital violence and kidnapping to child abuse and rape. In the little town of Kumba, Cameroon, there have been no convictions in marital abuse cases for nearly two decades. Thanks to the dynamic and tenacious State Prosecutor Vera Ngassa, Court President Beatrice Ntuba and others, things are about to change.
Sisters in Law

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Enlightening, uplifting, and compelling, Sisters in Law takes an unflinching -- and often humorous -- look at efforts to effect legal progress for Muslim women in Cameroon.

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Critics Reviews

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Liam Lacey Globe and Mail May 14, 2010
3/4
Grim but inspirational. Go to Full Review
Neil Smith BBC.com Aug 15, 2006
3/5
Where it triumphs, though, is in sending a message of hope from a continent too often associated with tragedy and despair. Go to Full Review
Geoffrey Macnab Guardian Aug 12, 2006
4/5
Some cases are harrowing, but the film is never grim. The formidable Ngassa shows such resilience, kindness and common sense that the effect is oddly uplifting. Go to Full Review
Peter Keough Boston Phoenix Apr 23, 2009
3/4
[A] skilled, moving, and funny look at two woman judges pushing a progressive agenda in a Cameroon courthouse. Go to Full Review
Maria Garcia Film Journal International Mar 1, 2007
Possesses a disarming veracity which is not easily dismissed. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Feb 7, 2012 This is one of those rare documentaries in which the film maker is not evident and the subjects of the film tell their story. It is compelling, touching and powerful. See more May 26, 2010 Un film féministe, mais dans le bon sens du terme : montrer des femmes malheureuses qui se révoltent via la justice. La cinéaste s'inscrit clairement (narrativement et visuellement) du côté des juges femmes qui tournent les hommes en ridicule. Il n'empêche : cela démontre une justice en nette progression dans ces pays qu'on qualifie trop péjorativement du "Tiers-Monde". Plutôt dur par moments, mais terriblement efficace dans l'émotionnel et se concluant par un constat favorable aux femmes. See more May 8, 2010 Amazing documentary. I got so invested in the lives of the women and children these two ladies helped. Gives me hope that individuals who do the right thing can make a positive difference in society. See more Feb 3, 2009 Koskettava dokkari, joka kertoo afrikkalaisista naisista jotka haluaa taistella kyläläisten oikeuden puolesta. See more Jan 13, 2008 reminds me of some of the strong women I knew in Venda See more Dec 10, 2007 One of the best documentaries I've ever seen. Powerful, complex, funny, immensely tragic, honest & hopeful all at the same time. Made me cry and I don't cry easily. Just watch it, forget about your expectations or whatever...it's much better than what it sounds like. See more Read all reviews
Sisters in Law

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Movie Info

Synopsis Following the caseload of a group of feisty female legal professionals tackling cases from marital violence and kidnapping to child abuse and rape. In the little town of Kumba, Cameroon, there have been no convictions in marital abuse cases for nearly two decades. Thanks to the dynamic and tenacious State Prosecutor Vera Ngassa, Court President Beatrice Ntuba and others, things are about to change.
Director
Kim Longinotto, Florence Ayisi
Producer
Kim Longinotto
Screenwriter
Kim Longinotto, Florence Ayisi
Production Co
Film4, Vixen Films (I)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
British English
Box Office (Gross USA)
$32.6K
Runtime
1h 48m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR
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