7/10 – enjoyable in that fact it has no real meaning, it makes me feel confused in a humorous way through its Very obscure images and scenes of things that happen in life being altered through surrealism. Reminds me off when AI is tasked to recreate a photograph or video where it uses known objects to substitute other things. Such as in the video where a Taco is replaced by a Bomb or in this scene where during a mugging a random human sized teddy bear acts afraid of the knife.

How do the directors use Cinematography, Mise en scene, Sound and Editing to create meaning in the film?

Cinematography –

Through the use of establishing shots, this helps create an image in the viewers mind of the types of locations these events take place in. In relation to Longinotto’s work these helps show how women live in these different environments in other parts of the world.

Mise en scene –

With the Mise en scene of this image, the rapist is positioned at the centre of attention within this shot, directly in the middle, with others lower than him, this signifies he is the main focal point of this court hearing.

Sound –

Sound within Sister’s In Law, such as non-diegetic music is only used at the beginning and ending of the film, this is used only to establish the opening and closing shots of the location, Kumba Town. diegetic sound is the predominate source through conversations within the documentary, this is intentional perhaps as Longinotto’s aim is to create verisimilitude within the atmosphere.

Editing –

Editing within Sister’s In Law makes use of long shots to be able to fully capture these peoples experiences, the steady pace of shots, gives the documentary subjects such as with the case of sonita’s story the time to be listened too and taken seriously.

How are the following groups represented in the documentary and what is the intended impact on the spectator?

Women –

Shown to face struggle in a patriarchal society, women are represented as being strong and independent. This can be found in the cases of the 2 women who wanted independence from their abuse relationships and earned it through a tough legal process. This also can be seen with Vera Ngessa, the Judge. By having a leading role in the decisions over issues such as marriage disputes and cases of abuse, this challenges the ideas of what usually would be considered a male job by having a independent in her community she helps provide opportunities for women.

Men –

Men in Sisters in law, are represented as being patriarchal and a cause of a lot of problems within Kumba town. With a large Muslim community, men provide reason for their actions through the sharia law, however are not forgiven in the court. Examples of men and their actions can be seen with the reverend, who is accused of beating his wife. Another, a man from Nigeria who raped a little girl.

Children –

Children are often represented as neglected and abused, with 2 such examples being the girl who was raped and Manka, a 6 year-old who was abused by her aunty, It can be scene that little is done in the way of safeguarding these children. Growing up in a poor environment, where some caretakers have little to no education we can see that in contrast to the Judge and her child, who is educated how the treatment of a child differs.

Muslim People –

Although making up a majority of the population in Kumba Town, their are represented as suppressed due to restrictions held by religious marital laws. An example can be seen with Ladi, a mother who wishes to divorce her abusive husband, in attempts to get away from him she visited her parents without his permission, being married on early in her life she did not have time for education and wishes to do so through leaving the marriage.

How do the directors use aesthetics (I.e. the ‘look and feel’ of the film) to create a specific message for the audience?

With use of Social Realism, the directors chose this for the aesthetics of this film as they aimed to create a specific message to the audience of the troubles women face across the world globally and how it effects them.

Social Contexts –

Filmed in the rural community of Kumba Town, Cameroon, which is relatively poor and underdeveloped, the position of women is viewed patriarchally by the men, who through examples regard them as property. This view is often repeated in the documentary due to the large Islam community. Apart of Islam, the sharia law – the belief that women’s rights and freedoms are guided by a male guardian, is used particularly by the men seen in the court against women who wish for their own independence. Despite laws within Cameroon legislating for equality of gender, followers of Islam, use the Sharia Law in their arguments.

Within Cameroon the rights and freedoms of children can be seen as precarious, this can be seen with, Manka, a child who was taken out of Nursery to help assist her Aunty in work, due to the naivety of her age she is beaten for not working well enough. Despite schools being compulsory in Cameroon up till the age of 14, everything such as uniform, books, etc must be paid for, as a result it is often scene that within Family’s boys are sent to school first than girls, from this is what perpetuated women’s interests for opportunity and financial independence. With a Female Judge this challenges the typical traditional views held by men, with a women in this position this also may remove the traditional bias of verdicts made.

Production (Economic) Contexts –

During production, Ayisi and Longinotto were supported by the non-profit media organisation ‘Women Make Movies’, through workshops on teaching women how to make films. Distributing Sisters in law, Women Make Movies this aimed promoted their aims of supporting filmmaking by female directors who chose to bring light to themes about woman globally. As a result this has supported other works by Kim Longinotto. How the choice of location came about was from a visit to Kumba Town, which is Florence Ayisis’s home town. Originally the documentary’s focus was going to be about the police.

1 –

The Primary mode used within ‘Sisters in Law’ is observational, the reason for this was to show ‘a day in the life’ of the court and legal system within Cameroon. The Directors chose this style as by being using a ‘fly on the wall’ approach it provides the viewer with the mindset that we are in that room to, reacting to what is happening with these peoples lives and how we generate a judgement like the women in the documentary who sentence their crimes. In comparison to other directors like Michael Moore or Nick Broomfield where they conduct their documentaries as hosts and narrators, Ayisi and Longinotto are creative in their methods of production.

2 – Being influenced by the Cinema verité (“cinema of truth”) movement, first used in France in the 1960s, to depict everyday situations with authentic dialogue an naturalness of action, ‘Sisters in law’ demonstrates this in numerous ways. 2 examples can be found in the scenes where, Vera Ngassa, one of the prosecutors is speaking to her child, This scene takes away from the main storylines to show that despite all the chaos of her job, she has brief moments to relax with her family. Another can be found in the scene where Manka, a 6 year-old girl, who had been beaten by her aunty, is shown to be cheered up by the policeman within the station. Taken together these examples of Cinema verité show the human aspects captured throughout the documentary. Due to the distortions of reality through modern media, this documentary makes good use of Cinema verité to ground these actual events to reality such as within these example scenes.

3 –

Would Sisters in Law construct a different narrative or give different perspectives of women’s lives, if the directors were men?

Yes, as my reasoning for this is that Director Kim Longinotto’s documentary’s are well known for the auteur approach of highlighting female victims of oppression and discrimination. With a male director, I feel as if the documentary would not capture that same motive. Through a feminist directors representation of Women, their understanding on politics and rights for women around the world are the key presidents that make her work stand out. Coming from a politically progressive Western-background (United Kingdom), she aims to provide a platform for these women who face in-equality in the politics of countries such as Cameroon. Facing suppression under a heavily patriarchal society, these aspects of her work wouldn’t be created as effectively by a male director.

If truth is important to documentary filmmaking, what truths are revealed in Sisters in Law?

Throughout Sisters in law, truths are revealed on the effects of patriarchal oppression women face in under-developed countries such as Cameroon. Within the Documentary, we are shown these examples and are made to emphasise with them. Through this exposure of change however, brought with the empowering actions of Beatrice Ntuba and Vera Ngassa, this inspires for a difference to be made within these communities, and as the ending shows, what is being done to make a difference.

Rating – 8/10

A key moment for me within ‘Sisters in Law’ is despite receiving her punishment for the ill treatment the justice system still gives them kindness. It also humanises her as due to lack of education amongst her and the people in the village, she is improving towards trying to do better.

Infotainment – Information provided to entertain audiences with facts. (E.G. Songs, cartoon, comedy sketches).

polemic approach – Carefully chosen shots to express a one-sided view on a subject.

Mockumentary – A television programme or film which takes the form of a serious documentary in order to satirize its subject.

Noddy shots – Camera shot typically used in recorded news or current affairs interviews. To show reactions within a conversation with interviewer and interviewee.

Infographics/Superimpositions – An editing technique and special effect that blends 2 ore more shots to present images or information simultaneously. Guides to tell the audience something.

Actuality Footage – Footage filmed by eyewitnesses e.g. Cameras, Phones of an event occurring.

Mediation – Mediation is the process in which filmmakers show a certain interpretation of something to their audience.

Distortion – The changing of footage from its original structure to change the factual context behind it.

Hyperreality – The blend of fantasy and reality creating a simulated example of reality, this creates the effect on the audience of not knowing what’s real.

Verisimilitude – To create a Documentary as truest to life as possible.

Bias – Filmmakers actions to try and get the audience to believe and support one ‘side of the story’.

Objectivity – makes the viewer feel they have a 1st-person observation on events on the screen.

Selection/Editing – specific use of footage chosen to be used in the documentary.

Sentence using key word:

The Expository documentary ‘Blackfish’ uses verisimilitude to show the seriousness of this event that went on, Objectivity puts the viewer into the minds of those within the real events that witnessed it too to generate the reaction from the situation.