The Documentary has a raw feel that I believe was done intentionally in order to capture the realism and authenticity of the film. The courthouse buildings doesn’t have a modern feel, instead opting for a more simplistic look. This I believe enhances the film as it shows the justice system still prevails even in this underdeveloped society.

The lack of attractiveness of the film works in the film’s favour as it presents the truth of the cruelty that women and children often face in the undeveloped area that the documentary is set in. This aesthetic detail also serves as a medium to present the judicial system in place. How even in this rough area, the judicial system protects the rights of women and children.

Another way the Aesthetics captures the realism of the film is by showing the daily lives of daily people. Directors Florence Ayisi and Kim Longinotto make great use of cinema verite to present this perspective. The lack of mediation from directors creates a greater sense of realism and enhances the production for the audience.

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.

1) The primary mode of the documentary is observational. I believe the directors chose this style deliberately as the lack of mediation adds to the immersion and makes the impact on the viewer more powerful, in turn heightening the verisimilitude.

2)The cinema verite movement is a 1960’s idea that showed people in everyday situations with authentic dialogue and naturalness of action. One way the documentary makes use of this is by seeing the various reactions of Manka’s family to her mistreatment. This is effective as it adds to the impact of the scene. Another way it makes use of the style is by showing the court room reactions and dialogue. Due to it not following a script, many people are shouting over each other to make their point, it can lead to chaos within the court room which increases tension with the viewer.

3)Observational Cinema can empower women as it represents their struggle by making an example of real events. The documentary focuses on showing the mistreatment of women and this doccumentary shows the harsh reality of the situation that some face. In turn, the doccumentary gives light to the situation and directly presents the justice system and how it protects them.

I believe that sisters in law wouldn’t have a different prospective if it’s directors were men. I believe this as the observational mode still showcases the crime happening against women and hence I believe if it were directed by a man it wouldn’t make a difference. It could be argued that the message wouldn’t be as powerful as it is not coming from a Women which would make it seem as if the directors were talking about a struggle they were not facing. yet, I still believe that the question is not if its a man directing it, instead I believe it is the quality of the doccumentary and how well it sheds light on the situation that women are facing.

 

overall I will give sister’s in law a 5/10. The documentary offered a great insight into the horrific crimes being committed in Kumba. The verisimilitude is excellent as we are watching from the prospective of someone in the courtroom as if we are in the audience. The film also has no mediation which adds to the realism of the final product.

a key moment is the exploration of Manka’s court case as the directors showcase the various reactions of multiple witnesses and relative of Manta.

A weakness of the documentary is that it often feels disjointed and scene transitions happen randomly. I believe this is at the fault of the editing and post production which gives the documentary a cheap look. This vastly decreases the enjoyability of the film. I believe the film could be improved with the use of narration in order to better transition to different scenes.

 

Noddy shots: type of camera reaction shot used in recorded new or current affairs interviews.

process footage: when you film the making of your documentary.

montage: the production of a rapid succession of images in a motion picture to illustrate an association of ideas.

narration/ voice over: a third person talking over the events of the doccumentary

infographics/ superimpositions: a collection of imagery, data visualization including different types of charts and graphs like pie charts and bar graphs.

The documentary Biggie and Tupac, was filmed in a prison in which a mediation happens in which the camera man moves the camera away out of fear, this enhances the verisimilitude of the documentary.

Expository mode : Expository docs are heavily researched and are sometimes referred to as essay films because they aim to educate and explain things.

The dust bowl 2012 : a detailed explanation of the events of the drought of North America farm land in the 1930’s during the great depression.

Reflexive mode : These documentary film talk about the process of making the documentary and speaking about their thoughts and feelings on the film.

man with the movie camera 1929

Poetic mode : aims to create a certain mood or feeling rather than prove a point through a traditional linear narrative structure.

world mirror cinema 2005

Observational Mode : a type of documentary that aims to record realistic, everyday life without intrusion.

High School 1968

Performative mode : focuses on the experience of the filmmaker themselves and is deeply personnel to them.

Tongues Untied 1989

Mockumentary : where fictional events are depicted in a documentary style of filmmaking.

Borat 2006

A documentary film is a film that tells a story about real life events and is based on reality.

An Inconvenient film

Fahrenheit 9/11

Inside Job

Blocking: a term that describes where, when and how a subject is placed and moved within a frame.

Staging: the process of selecting, designing and modifying the performance to enhance the film.