‘The Woman in Me’, a documentary filmed and edited by Kwetu Film Institute and Rwanda Cinema Center, is set to premiere today, March 25, at Century Cinema. The film is dedicated to Women’s Month—paying tribute to Rwandan women, and women worldwide, who have been oppressed economically, politically, and socially for centuries. The highly anticipated film, produced and directed by the ‘Godfather of Rwandan Film’, Eric Kabera, founder and president of the Rwanda Cinema Center and Kwetu Film Institute, incorporates poetry and music to showcase the intersection of women and art. Aimed at empowering communities to implement laws that protect women, the film is also designed to enlighten other communities around Africa, and the world, where women empowerment is still facing resistance. Kabera revealed that the film brings to life the experience of two amazing women who share the journey of their lives. ‘Through her pain, betrayal, and grief, Auxiliatrice recounts her life, having been married to a man who abused her from the age of 18. Despite being a mother of three children at the age of 22, she decides to walk away and start a new life while working in a bar and doing other minor jobs in order to feed her children,' goes part of the synopsis. “This painful story is interwoven with poetic and visual representations of other women who are pushing boundaries in the empowerment movement of our times. Rwandan women have decided to take their destiny into their own hands, encouraging other women around the world to take heed. “With inspiring and artistic expressions from other women, we celebrate and bring to life the strength and power of a woman. We also observe men in both urban and rural areas being challenged by these developments, but we do that from a historical perspective. We observe them trying to adjust, and appreciate the current wind of change where women are reclaiming their rightful position in society,” Kabera said. Adding to its already impressive team, the film’s music was composed and sung by Mike Kayihura, Diya, Ismaelo, Inganzo Ngari, and Ben Ngabo. The red carpet premiere will feature various activities including screening at 7:15 pm, a panel discussion at 8:15 pm- 9 pm and cocktails at 9 pm to 9:45 pm. “The film highlights Rwanda’s struggle to empower its women and regain their strength, shedding light on issues such as domestic violence and teenage pregnancy. However, the film also showcases the changing narrative as women reclaim their power. “’The Woman in Me’ delves into the phenomenon of women’s experiences and interpretations that are transforming society,” highlighted Usanase Kabera, the communications officer and assistant producer of the film. Kwetu Film Institute is the leading film and television school in Rwanda that collaborates with established organisations such as the Sundance Film Festival, the Academy of Motion Picture and Sciences, the Shoah Foundations, and the Pan African Film Festival, among others. Kwetu and the Rwanda Cinema Centre have produced more than 50 films— shorts, documentaries, and feature films—for the past 20 years.
