Colonel Honorine worked in Bukavu's police force for years as part of the Child Protection and Anti-Sexual Violence Unit, highly regarded for its effectiveness and the confidence it has able to restore in the community. But when Colonel Honorine is transferred to Kisangani, she must start over from scratch. Shortly after arriving in her new post, dozens of victims of sexual violence from the 6-Day War between Rwandan and Ugandan troops, land in her office. Thus begins a new challenge for the Colonel who is determined to fight for the recognition and support of these forgotten women, these outdated lives.

A film by Dieudo Hamadi

DR Congo, 2016, Documentary, 72 min. French & Swahili, w/ English subtitles

MAMA COLONEL - English Trailer from Andanafilms on Vimeo.

NOTE BY THE PROGRAMMER
Colonel Honorine Munyole is a formidable woman. Heading a specialized military brigade against sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo requires it. After 15 years in Bukavu, she's transferred to Kisangani, a city 650 kilometres away, and the hometown of award-winning filmmaker Dieudo Hamadi. Seizing upon her arrival as a foil to tell the wider story of women in Congolese society, Hamadi uses an observational style to capture Munyole immediately beset with obstacles. From useless men who can't spell her name correctly to officers who don't bother showing up for duty, her resolve is tested. When confronted with unspeakable crimes against women in the Six-Day War, she must first battle townspeople claiming there are false victims before she can offer any help. Resisting the impulse to name the guilty and assign blame in a region ravaged by war, Hamadi allows the fault lines of Congo's society to speak for themselves. Myrocia Watamaniuk (Hot Docs 2017)

Producers: Christian Lelong, Kiripi Katembo Siku

Director: Dieudo Hamadi
Screenwriter: Dieudo Hamadi
Cinematographer: Dieudo Hamadi
Sound: François Tariq Sardi
Editor: Anne Renardet

Production : Mutotu (Kitipi Katembo), Cinédoc Films (Christian Lelong)

with the support of
Fonds francophone de production audiovisuelle du Sud (OIF / CIRTEF)
CNC Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée
Région Rhône Alpes - PROCIREP / ANGOA
Bertha Fund (IDFA - Nl)
Sundance Institute
Open Society Foundations / Just Films Ford Foundation,
Ambassade de France de RdC
Lyon Capitale TV - Télé Paese

International Sales: Andana Films
andanafilms.com


2017 | DOK.fest München 2017, Germany
* Selection

2017 | Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival
* Selection - Int'l Spectrum!
* North American Premiere

2017 | iREP, Lagos, Nigeria
* African Premiere

2017 | 67ème Berlinale, Allemagne
* Sélection - Forum
* World Premiere / Première Mondiale

2016 | 8th Festival Congo in Harlem 2016 | 20-23 Oct 2016 | NEW-YORK, USA
* Selection- "work-in-progress"
* Projection-débat / Screening + Q&A: Sunday, 10/23, 6:30PM
http://www.congoinharlem.org/bend