Women’s Month On Afridocs Documentaries On Bet Africa

In August AfriDocs celebrates the spirit of women- through stories both large and small. The role of African women in civic and political spaces has never been easy, and AfriDocs is proud to share films that bring to life the everyday struggles and successes of brave women who are standing up for their own rights, as well as the rights of others.

A not-to-be-missed highlight for August is Strike a Rock, is a counterpoint to Rehad Desai’s Miners Shot Down. This 2017 film tells the story of two South African mothers, Primrose Sonti and Thumeka Magwangqana, who lead their community in a fight against seemingly insurmountable odds for equality, justice and dignity.

The film recently won the Audience Award, Best Local Film, Encounters Documentary Festival in South Africa.

Director Aliki Saragas had this to say about the film:

Leading up to the 5th anniversary of the Marikana Massacre, we will never forget that justice has been delayed and denied. Not only for the families of those who were killed and the injured and arrested mineworkers but also for the community that lives around Lonmin Plc. Our hope is that our documentary, Strike A Rock, will put the women of Marikana's struggle on the world stage.

My aim was to weave together the perspectives of the women using a sensitive, unobtrusive and intimate camera. The film takes the viewer on a journey through trauma, history, loss, memory, friendship, and the fear of being further forgotten as Thumeka and Primrose survive each day. 

After over three years of creating this documentary the journey is only really beginning now as we use the film to build on a movement focusing on extractive practices and their socio-economic and environmental impacts in South Africa and Southern Africa regionally.

Screened at over 120 film festivals world-wide and winner of the Prix Art et Essai at the Cannes Film Festival, Sisters in Law has become an African classic. A cross between “Judge Judy” and “The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” Sisters in Law has audiences cheering when justice is served.

Between Rings is the story of Zambia’s Esther Phiri, the seven-time world boxing champion. Hers is a remarkable story, Esther lived with her grandmother and joined her selling groceries and second hand clothes in the market. She dropped out of school and became a single mother at age 16. But a turning point in Esther's life came about when the international NGO Africa Directions started a youth-centered HIV-awareness project in the area, combining health education and sport. Esther was the only girl in a physical training program that focused on boxing.