City of Joy

"When we tell the truth, we change the world"

Sep 7 2018 N/A 1h 14m
Crime, Documentary, Drama

The Democratic Republic of Congo has endured 20 years of devastating violence. Rape has been used as a weapon of war to destroy community and access precious minerals. Congo is often referred to as “the worst place in the world to be a woman.” "City of Joy" tells a different story of the region. The film focuses on Jane, a student at a center where women who have suffered unimaginable abuse join together to become leaders. We also meet the founders of the center: a devout Congolese Doctor, a Congolese activist, and a radical N.Y. playwright. The film weaves between joy and pain as these individuals band together to demand hope in a place so often deemed hopeless.

Official Trailer
Plot

This film follows the first class of students at a remarkable leadership center in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region often referred to as "the worst place in the world to be a woman." These women have been through unspeakable violence spurred on by a 20 year war driven by colonialism and greed. In the film, they band together with the three founders of this center: Dr. Denis Mukwege (2016 Nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize), radical playwright and activist Eve Ensler ("The Vagina Monolgoues") and human rights activist, Christine Schuler-Deschryver, to find a way to create meaning in their lives even when all that was meaningful to them has long been stripped away. In this ultimately uplifting film, we witness the tremendous resilience as these women transform their devastation into powerful forms of leadership for their beloved country.

Written by

Madeleine Gavin

Directed by

Madeleine Gavin

Cast

Christine Schuler-Deschryver, Denis Mukwege Mukengere, Eve Ensler

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

Congo

Production Companies

Essence Road, Impact Partners

Languages

Deutsch, English, Français, Kiswahili

Awards

7 wins & 5 nominations total

Trailers
City of Joy | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Scores
# of Votes
645
Average Rating
7.7 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA