Difret
Beneath the layer of polite social customs, an aggressively rooted patriarchy perpetuates inhospitable conditions for women in this engrossing and significant film, based on a real-life story. Ethiopian writer/director Zeresenay Berhane Mehari portrays, with panoramic beauty, the complexity of a country’s transformation toward equal rights, featuring the courageous generation that dares to own it.
Director:
Zeresenay Berhane Mehari
Cast:
Meron Getnet, Tizita Hagere
Screenplay:
Zeresenay Berhane Mehari
Screening Date:
Oct 17, 2015
Studio:
Haile Addis Pictures
Running Time:
99 minutes
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50.0% | 41.7% | 8.3% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
An interesting and important story. The acting was moving, honest and demonstrated depth and complexity. Even though it was so important the telling of the story as a straight linear narrative made it a bit slow and journalistic rather than the dramatic tale deserves.
Great film!
Well presented and uplifting. Shows the complexity in a country where cultural traditions can clash with a democratic ideal of freedom for all. Wonderful acting and cast, I was surprised that the director was a male. I would definitely recommend this film. Cultural attitudes take a long time to change. Was glad to see the ending realistic and not sugary.
Eye-opening movie. Wonderful to see women standing up for their rights and getting them.
A story that had to be told.
A remarkable glimpse into a Somalian culture I would never have seen otherwise. Thank you Angelina!
To think that this kind of behavior is still rampant is frightening! What an amazing story of the human will and the power of women. Bravo! The acting was extraordinary.
Compelling, frightening story of relatively recent marriage practices now finally coming of age, but the filmmaking itself still needs some developing.
The subject matter was compelling and although based on fact the real story is enhanced by cinema, music, etc. It is compelling cinema. I don’t know whether I would feel the same from a pure documentary.
Kudos to Angelina Jolie. She certainly knows how to tell a story. Women have a long way to go in many parts of our world. Very moving.
Very powerful film. Great job.
Although the subject matter is very powerful the tale itself is told with largely one-dimensional characters in a somewhat flat narrative.
Powerful!
Sad commentary of what still goes on in the world. Cruelty, torture and hate.
Important, little known subject. American audiences are probably unaware of the abduction of young girls for marriage. Meron Getnet delivers a wonderful performance.
Extraordinary! Couldn’t breath while watching this film.
Not sure what the witness who comes forward at the end of the film adds to the proceedings.
Subject interesting and important but somehow the movie did not force an emotional response.
This was a moving and very disturbing film. The lawyer was some kind of super hero and I so admired her persistence in standing up to the male dominated and unjust systems of her country. Why wouldn’t the filmmaker use HD digital instead of 35mm?
If you'd like to know more about the film...
Interested in the real story behind the film? Here is a TIME interview with the woman who the main character Hirut is based upon, Aberash Bekele: http://time.com/4038102/11-questions-with-aberash-bekele/
Here is a Newsweek article written by Charlotte Metcalf, a documentary filmmaker who originally captured Bekele's story in the 1999 documentary Schoolgirl Killer: http://www.newsweek.com/2015/01/16/rape-victim-who-fought-back-and-shame...
Linked here are also several non-profits, petitions, and activist websites related to the film:
http://www.difret.com/take-action/
https://www.change.org/p/barack-obama-john-kerry-michelle-obama-sign-the...
