by Dieudo Hamadi
Maman Colonelle wears her uniform with pride. The charismatic new leader of a small police unit in the civil war-torn Congolese region of Kisangani is there to protect women and children. In the face of her clients’ problems, the desolate state of her new office soon becomes incidental. Maman’s direct and non-bureaucratic manner offers new hope to children accused of witchcraft and the single women raped during the war. With unshakable strength, she supports the weakest links and backs up her words with actions. Congolese filmmaker Dieudo Hamadi followed the headstrong state official’s every move to offer a unique insight into the social reality of his country. Above all, however, this is the portrait of a most impressive modern heroine of our time.