City of Joy

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

2016 1h 14m EN

👍

7.3

SOLID

★7.3TMDB · 25

Documentary

Synopsis

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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.

“When we tell the truth, we change the world”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Christine Schuler-Deschryver
Herself
Denis Mukwege Mukengere
Himself
V
Herself
Jane Mukunilwa
Herself

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Madeleine Gavin
Writers: Madeleine Gavin
Languages: German, Swahili, French, English
Countries: Congo, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 74-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 10 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 4 languages: German, Swahili, French, English.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Congo, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Madeleine Gavin, shot by Lisa Rinzler. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Madeleine Gavin shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Christine Schuler-Deschryver and Denis Mukwege Mukengere and V carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Madeleine Gavin directs. Lisa Rinzler behind the camera. Madeleine Gavin cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Congo, United States of America. Dialogue in German, Swahili, French, English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 74-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
2Released 10 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 4 languages: German, Swahili, French, English.
4International production across 2 countries: Congo, United States of America.
5Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
6Directed by Madeleine Gavin, shot by Lisa Rinzler. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
7Editor Madeleine Gavin shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Christine Schuler-Deschryver and Denis Mukwege Mukengere and V carry the top of the cast.
9Marketing tagline: "When we tell the truth, we change the world".
10IMDB entry: tt4078252 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
11Only 25 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.