Film Review: ‘Sisters in Law’

When one thinks of women in public office Mary Harney, Angela Merkel and Condoleezza Rice spring to mind. Of course many other females have occupied political roles as well as in the fields of entertainment and in sport, all to society’s benefit. As a member of Amnesty International I come into contact with activists and a good portion are women. The example set by women the world over needs to be followed by men. Indeed most of the problems facing the world are caused by men. Men have done terrible things and it is a real shame that women are forced to clean up the mess us males have made. From sexual violence to crime and war, men have a lot to answer for and it often takes a woman’s intervention to make things better.

The film ‘Sisters in Law’ is one such manifestation of what has come to be known as ‘Girl Power’. The women featured are caring but tough and, as legal practitioners, command great respect. This fly-on-the-wall documentary set in the town of Kumba in the West African state of Cameroon, challenges abuses largely perpetrated by the men there: underage sex, violence…

In the opening scene the viewer’s attention is drawn to a man, a janitor, sweeping the floor of what looks likes a solicitor’s office and doing general cleaning duties. By contrast the judge, a woman, prepares her cases for the day ahead, for it is morn. The gender role reversal is staggering.

Vera Ngassa (State Prosecutor) is tough and she has a no-nonsense approach to the cases before her. One of the accused, a man, is brought before her on charges of kidnapping a child. After some moments of impatience with the defendant, she gives her judgement: “You men just harvest children all over the place without marrying the mothers”.

The S.P’s next case concerns the fear and upset caused by sexual violence. The S.P tries to reassure the victim. While the husband, predictably, denies the charges against him. The couple are Muslim and this complicates matters, so the case is taken to the town’s elders. The woman is implored to re-join her husband but refuses citing his abusive behaviour. She wants a divorce. Despite objections from her family she proceeds with the legal separation. As the film goes on the woman is eventually granted the divorce she craves and is jubilant.

Ms Ngassa’s next case is of a girl, Sonita (9), who claims she was raped. The accused, about 25 years of age, denies soliciting sex saying: “The girl came to my house and requested sex”. As fans are busily rotating in the courthouse, his excuses run dry. The intelligent S.P rejects his protestations of innocence and he is found guilty of the crime. Following his trial he is handed down a sentence of nine years with hard labour. After serving his time he will be deported to his native Nigeria.

The documentary continues apace with beautiful scenes of musty sand competing with the extremely colourful clothes of the local people and there are good signs of flora and fauna present. The poverty, however, can clearly be seen. Despite the lack of material wealth it is heartening that modern legal procedure is being employed in what is still an under-developed country.

A child, Manka, is taken to see the S.P. The child says she was beaten by her Aunty and an arrest for the female relative is ordered. There are marks all over Manka’s body. Following a medical examination of the eight-year-old child the Aunty, Lom Rose, is summoned to meet the S.P. Lom Rose admits assaulting Manka citing ‘provocation’. It transpires the young girl was beaten with a clothes line.

Manka’s Uncle is shown his neice’s injuries and is visibly upset by what he sees. Moreover this sense of emotion is shared by the local community. Lom Rose is wailing with contrition but it is too late – the damage and pain has been inflicted on poor Manka. Justice must run its course. Lom Rose is eventually found guilty on three counts of abusing Manka and gets a sentence comprising of four years in total, with hard labour. The camera follows Lom Rose as she tearfully tries to adjust to living, albeit temporarily, behind bars.

These female barristers are very impressive. It is clear that challenging religious/social traditions requires courage and tenacity. During one of the court hearings, featured in the documentary, a female lawyer says: “this century is one where women’s rights are respected”. That theme is obviously alive and well in this part of Africa. A palpable sense of ‘Justice being done’ runs throughout and it is sad that this is not replicated in more under-developed nations in Africa. One of the lessons drawn from viewing this DVD is that the men featured are brought to book for their crimes and not let off the hook, as happens elsewhere in the world.

‘Sisters in Law’ ends with a scene of a classroom filled with students. The class is introduced, by Ms Ngassa, to two Muslim women. We are informed that for 17 years, in this part of the world, there had been no convictions for ‘Spousal abuse’. Thankfully that has changed. These women were successful – they, bravely, brought their cases to court and won. The students give the women a round of applause. No man has the right to beat a woman – even in Cameroon!

This brilliantly shot documentary should be seen by everyone. The fact that it was entirely real makes it even more compelling to watch. If I had any criticisms it would be that there was very little evidence of Africa’s rich artistic culture depicted here. For Africa has indeed a deep heritage to draw from and I would say that the people of Cameroon must have more going on than just criminal activity. It would have been nice to see more of that in the documentary.

Not surprisingly the film, with its pulsating soundtrack, has gone on to win many international awards including one at the Cannes Film Festival. If I were Cameroonian I’d be proud of it.