Logline
The three girls Sandra, Laila and Yvette, housemaids and employee of a shop owner in a popular quarter of Kigali, are struggling for a better living and respect. In their successes and failures their friendship helps them to overcome the severity of the life of a Karani Ngufu.
Synopsis
Laila, 20 years old, arrives in Kigali aiming for a better living. She gets employed in a matriarchal family where Malika has the power over her husband Mazimpaka. Malika gets angry at Mazimpaka for employing Laila unbeknownst to her. She gets very hostile and shows openly her despise to Laila.
In the midst of her troubles at Mazimpakas home, Laila meets Sandra and Yvette. The three are in a similar situation, fighting to get respect and acknowledgement. Yvette and Sandra drag Laila into their daily confrontation and trickery with their employers, the backroom of Yvette’s mini market becomes like a girls club, where they meet everyday and unpack loads of trouble off their shoulders, through arguments and sharing of advice.
Mazimpaka’s intentions on Laila becomes clear when he starts to harass her sexually, which puts her freedom at stake. Malika learns that Laila is innocent, that it’s her husband to blame. Mazimpaka gets chased outside of the house by Malika, and during the period of his absence, Laila and Malika build a bond and Malika decides to leave Mazimpaka when he comes back claiming the house.
Yvette and Sandra are very supportive albeit their issues with their employers. Gatenga becomes a cocoon ruled by the three girls.
Credits
Created by Joseph Njata and Musabe Wanny Bernard . Directed by Joseph Njata, Munyana Carine, Shema Deve and Musabe Wanny Bernard. Written by Joseph Njata, Musabe Wanny Bernard, Wilson Misago, Kinani Peace, Agabe Regina Pacis and Munyana Carine.
A production in the framework of Rwanda Media Project
© 2019 Europäisches Filmzentrum Babelsberg e.V.