The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and Amateur Heads Productions is proud to announce the premiere of Silent Tears, which would screen on International Women’s Day, the 8th of March 2016, at the Silverbird Galleria, Abuja.
Produced by Mr Ishaya Bako, an award winning filmmaker, the short documentary examines and uncovers the truths behind the violation of women in the F.C.T by a taskforce set up by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to clean the streets off sex workers. It intricately weaves the stories of different women from different backgrounds from across the city exposing unique insights about our society.
According to the Producer, “Violence against women has become quite casual and almost pedestrian in our society”. Bako said that women in our society need to be treated with dignity rather than abducted, molested and abused by law enforcement officials.
Silent Tears screened at the 5th African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in November 2015, it won The Audience Choice Award. The production of Silent Tears by Amateur Heads was supported through a grant from OSIWA. This same collaborative effort was behind the award winning documentary, ‘Fuelling Poverty’ which uncovered the fuel subsidy scam of 2012.
Silent Tears would be aired on major television channels across the country. The 30-minute video incorporates expert views and features high profile interviews from, Ordinary Ahmad Isah of Brekete Family, Ayisha Osori (OSIWA Board Chair) and Maryam Uwais MFR, Dr. Chidi Odinkalu immediate past Chair Governing Council, NHRC. Attendees will also have the opportunity to interact with the filmmaker. This compelling film aims to raise awareness of the pervasive mentality that fosters such negative actions towards women while inspiring behavioural change.
