About City of Joy (2018)

Explore:

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music / Soundtrack

About

City of Joy is a 2018 documentary film directed by Madeleine Gavin. The film follows the inspiring journey of the City of Joy, a center established in the Democratic Republic of Congo to provide a safe haven and support for women who have survived horrific acts of gender violence.

The documentary presents a poignant and emotional portrait of the lives of the women staying at City of Joy. It explores their individual stories of trauma and resilience, as well as the transformative power of healing and reclaiming agency through education and empowerment. Through their shared experiences, the women find strength, sisterhood, and hope for a brighter future.

Making / Production

The idea for City of Joy originated from playwright and activist Eve Ensler, who co-founded the center in collaboration with Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege and women's rights activist Christine Schuler-Deschryver. Together with director Madeleine Gavin, they embarked on a journey to document the incredible work being done at City of Joy.

The film crew spent several months at the center, capturing the daily lives of the women and the dedicated staff who provide them with resources and support. The documentary combines intimate interviews, powerful testimonies, and immersive footage to create a compelling narrative that sheds light on the complex issue of gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Actors

• Christine Schuler-Deschryver - Women's rights activist and co-founder of City of Joy
• Denis Mukwege - Congolese gynecologist and co-founder of City of Joy
• Action Kivu staff - Empowerment facilitators and mentors at City of Joy
• Women survivors - Various women who share their stories and experiences

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• City of Joy was originally a book written by Eve Ensler, which inspired the establishment of the actual center in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• The documentary premiered at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival and received critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and impact.
• The City of Joy center continues to provide support and education to survivors of gender violence, empowering them to become community leaders and advocates for change.

Awards

No information available about awards won by City of Joy.

Quotes

• "The transformation is slow, but the transformation is real. Healing is happening in City of Joy." - Christine Schuler-Deschryver
• "We refuse to collapse. We refuse to be victims. We are taking our power back." - Women survivors at City of Joy

Music / Soundtrack

• The documentary features an original score composed by Siddhartha Khosla, which captures the emotional journey of the women portrayed in the film.
• The soundtrack includes songs by Congolese artists and traditional music that reflects the vibrant culture and resilience of the people in the Democratic Republic of Congo.