infotainment – a type of media, usually telelvision or online, that provides a combination of information and entertainment

mode of address (direct/indirect) – the direct mode of address refers to the use of signifiers that acknowledge the audience

tone/mood (formal/informal) – the mood refers to what the audience feel as they watch the film, whereas the tone refers to the attitude of the filmmaker about the film’s subject

investigative journalism – a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, such as serious crimes, racial injustice, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing

polemic approach – an aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another

exposition – a literary term that refers to the background information the audience needs to know for the world of your story to make sense

Social Context

It is set in a rural community in Kumba town, Cameroon, that focuses on the different prospective of women’s lives. The film was made in 2005 and is directed by the female directors Florence Ayisi and Kim Longinotto. The film being produced by women accurately showcases the mistreatment of women and the justice system that protects them.

Production

The directors were supported by a non profit media organisation named ‘women make movies’ who focused on running workshops and teaching women how to make films. The the idea grew from a visit to Kumba Town, west Cameroon, which is Florence’s hometown. They were originally going to make a doccumentary about the police but instead chose to focus on the justice system.

Primary mode: The primary mode in this documentary is observational. I believe the directors have chosen this style is because they wanted to create a personal connection between the spectator and these people from a completely different culture without interference. They wanted the voice to be solely from the voiceless, and these affects of connection and voice wouldn’t be possible if we had the filmmaker be a noticeable part of the film in any way.

Cinema Verite movement: Cinema Verite relates to using a handheld camera, following unscripted movement and speech, alongside natural lighting, hence being an essential part of an observational documentary. 1 example where this is used in Sisters in Law is during the classroom scene, where the camera whips around from the teacher to the students when they heard the students clapping.

Another example is during the court room scenes. The camera will pan across the room of people, then at the door when the judge is walking in, zooming at as they walk closer to the camera, and following them as they walk across the room. This is all done in 1 continuous shot. I believe this is very effective for the style and mode of documentary this was.

This is all because it reminds the audience that none of this is scripted, emphasising that personal connection between audience and these victims, and everyone in their culture.

Questions: 1) If Sisters in Law was produced by men, I believe it would depend on the man’s culture to decide if it would affect this documentaries view on women. Say if it was a man from a rural Muslim culture, such as this one, they’d most likely mediate the documentary to have a more positive view on men while stripping the women of the recognition they deserve. 2) Observational mode and Verite movement helps empower women because it largely restricts the amount of mediation that can be done to this documentary, and therefor gives the audience a greater sense of verisimilitude when they see these empowering women, knowing they are real people, making a real difference.