Sisters In Law “Divorce Sequence” (Filmmakers’ Theories)

The divorce sequence begins with an establishing shot to contextualise the scenery and environment of rural village life in Cameroon. The scene then cuts to a shot of the abusive husband sat at a desk to remind the audience of this particular case by showing them of that certain character. The court council is shown from Amina (the wife’s) perspective at first, helping the audience understand what position she is in. Longinotto moves around the room here to document the scene, but also remain out of the way of the people, so as to not interfere in what is happening at all. This is shown to have worked when the court begin speaking to Amina in a disrespectful and threatening way, leading them into behaving how they would normally, without cameras in the room, since they forget that they are they. However, it also leads to them playing to the camera, as seen at the end of the scene where they grant the divorce and speak to Amina in a more polite and respectful way.

The court speaks to the husband more respectfully than they do to Amina, asking him what they want as oppose to telling Amina what to do. This shows how Longinottos observatory style works, causing characters to act as they would off-camera, since they forget that it is there. The courts discrimination against Amina is also seen in how the man does not dispute her evidence that he abused her, and they still threaten her that they wont grant the divorce. Amina and her husband are shown in a two-shot as she explains how he abused her, showing both victim and offender in frame to allow the audience to see what affect the man has had on her. A close up on Amina shows her fear and sadness as tears streak down her face, and another close-up as the men threaten her, bringing the audiences attention to the affect that this situation is having on her, making us sympathise with her. After the divorce is granted, the abusive husband is kept out of frame, showing that he no longer has any influence over Amina, instead focusing on her, zooming in to show her happiness and relief at her victory.