Invoking Justice

A sober, immersive documentary that puts you inside heated communal meetings, where women's voices clash and gradually claim authority.

Directed by

Deepa Dhanraj

Genres

Documentary

Starring

Sharifa Khanam, Humsoon, Taj

Overview

In Southern India, family disputes are settled by Jamaats—all male bodies which apply Islamic Sharia law to cases without allowing women to be present, even to defend themselves. Recognizing this fundamental inequity, a group of women in 2004 established a women’s Jamaat, which soon became a network of 12,000 members spread over 12 districts. Despite enormous resistance, they have been able to settle more than 8,000 cases to date, ranging from divorce to wife beating to brutal murders and more. Deepa Dhanraj follows several cases, shining a light on how the women’s Jamaat has acquired power through both communal education and the leaders’ persistent, tenacious and compassionate investigation of the crimes. In astonishing scenes we watch the Jamaat meetings, where women often shout over each other about the most difficult facets of their personal lives.

How it feels

Earnest, tense, melancholic and uplifting. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Justice, gender, power, faith

Content

Mild violence and language. No gore or sexual content.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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