Maybe not the most accomplished documentaries ever but definitely a very moving one.
City of Joy is named after a complex in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo which provides a short of shelter for women raped, abused and injured in the constant violence of that part of the country.
The interior of Congo lives in an almost permanent state of war with different militia groups fighting each other and international companies and governments promoting a state of chaos in order to make the most of exploiting the minerals there.
One of the most insidious acts has been the repeated abuse of women and many find their way to the Panzi hospital, which is part of the City of joy complex where Dr Denis Mukwege (Nobel Peace Prize laureate) treats them as best he can.
Those who can, stay on to study at the complex where they combine therapy and self-assertion classes to develop the leaders of tomorrow and to transform the pain they have suffered.
American writer Eve Ensler of The Vagina Monologues is a key supporter of this and is seen giving speeches and classes.
Apart from the harrowing testimony of many of the victims, the noble work of Mukwege and Christine Schuler-Deschryver,
the co-founder of the centre provide moments of admiration for the work and service done. Why should relatively ordinary people have to clean up the mess of armies and the blatant lack of action by governments who are supposed to be protecting their citizens not abusing and exploiting them.
I’m glad I got to know more of this story. Sensitive direction by Madeleine Gavin and good photography and soundtrack.
4 stars
passionfilm 