By Lisa F. Jackson
Winner of the Sundance Special Jury Prize in documentary, this extraordinary film, shot in the war zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), shatters the silence that surrounds the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Many tens of thousands of women and girls have been systematically kidnapped, raped, mutilated and tortured by soldiers from both foreign militias and the Congolese army. A survivor of gang rape herself, Emmy Award?-winning filmmaker Lisa F. Jackson travels through the DRC to understand what is happening and why.
This film features interviews with activists, peacekeepers, physicians, and even ¨C chillingly ¨C the indifferent rapists who are soldiers of the Congolese Army. Harrowing moments of the film come as dozens of survivors recount their stories with an honesty and immediacy that is pulverizing in its intimacy and detail, but this powerful film also provides inspiring examples of resiliency, resistance, courage and grace.
Reviews
~ "[A] documentary of the highest calling."- The Hollywood Reporter
~ "Captures the stark reality of women's and girls' suffering and untold courage¡ You will never think about conflict in gender-neutral terms again.", Karin Wachter, Int'l Rescue Committee, Gender-based Violence Technical Advisor
~ "Impressive¡shows not only in candid and unapologetic detail the psychological trauma and horror endured by individual rape survivors, but also its broader cultural implications."- Jeffrey W. Mantz, Dept. of Sociology & Anthropology, George Mason University
~ "Exceptional lensing throughout this distressing and disturbing documentary."- Joe Leydon, Variety
~ "An important tool for waking up the sleeping consciousness of humanity that continues to allow such injustices on women and children to go unchecked and unreported."- Chrys Ballerano, NY State Coalition Against Sexual Assault
~ "Panoramic shots of the beautiful countryside and wealthy enclaves sharply contrast with close-up views that document suffering in survivors' blank stares and orphans' wailing cries."- Booklist
~ "Harrowing and heart-rending and maddening and confounding."- Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times
~ "4 Stars. A moving, powerful, and deeply disturbing documentary. ¡fills a crucial information void¡Highly Recommended, Editor's Choice"- Video Librarian
Notes
~ One World Int'l Human Rights Documentary Film Festival, Prague
~ San Francisco Human Rights Watch Int'l Film Festival
~ Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
~ Addis Int'l Film Festival on Rights and Justice, Addis Ababa
~ Seattle Human Rights Watch Film Festival
~ Emmy Award Nominee in Outstanding Informational Programming: Long Form and Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft: Writing
Awards
~ Sundance FF, Special Jury Prize: Documentary
~ London Human Rights Watch FF, Best of Fest
~ Roma Independent FF, Best Documentary
~ Gracie Award, Outstanding Documentary - Long Format
~ Int'l Black DocuFest, Best Human Rights Watch Documentary
~ Reel Awareness Amnesty Int'l Human Rights FF, Best Documentary
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