Invoking Justice

Filmmaker Deepa Dhanraj's fascinating documentary follows members of the South Indian Muslim Women's Jamaat as they advocate for two young women who were murdered by members of their husbands' families, and another who wants a divorce after years of physical abuse. The organization was founded in 2004 in Tamil Nadu to help female victims of violence, working alongside traditional village jamaats—all-male councils that settle family disputes according to Islamic sharia law. Before 2004 no woman was allowed to testify on her own behalf; now the Women's Jamaat hears all sides (enlisting the help of local police to question reluctant men) and helps plaintiffs document their complaints. Representatives of the Women's Jamaat discuss cases with male jamaats, and they are calm but persistent in challenging those who have let violent incidents pass. The individuals featured are articulate, passionately supportive, and fair as they consider where the blame lies. The women are also—somewhat surprisingly, considering that most have suffered some form of domestic violence—amused at efforts to be thwarted or silenced. In fact, they seem almost giddily empowered, assuring victims that it is safe to speak to them and joking about what should be done to an offender before settling down to formalize a complaint. Combining interviews with footage shot in police stations, communities, and private homes, this engaging and thought-provoking documentary (which sometimes even sports the suspense and occasional humor of a Law & Order episode) is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)