ROUGH AUNTIES

"There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way it treats its children", said Nelson Mandela. If true, this superb immersion into a troubled community shows that South Africa’s soul is truly in danger. The "Rough Aunties" are a remarkable group of feisty women, dedicated to protecting and caring for the abused and neglected children of Durban, helping them to give a voice to their suffering. The women go to amazing and inspiring lengths - participating in police raids, cleaning up crime scenes and offering their own money and homes - whilst waging a daily battle against systemic apathy and corruption. While the film begins as an inspiring expose of their work and a fascinating insight into the relationship between the Zulu and Afrikaner women, it becomes tragically personal halfway through, as members of the team face bereavement. Longinotto's camera is an almost invisible witness to the horrors their work involves, creating a painful and hopeful testament to the professionalism and courage of these women.

Grand Jury Prize, World Cinema Documentary, Sundance Film Festival 2009