Invoking Justice (2011): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2011, Invoking Justice is a documentary film directed by Deepa Dhanraj, running about 87 minutes.

What it’s about. In Southern India, family disputes are settled by Jamaats—all male bodies which apply Islamic Sharia law to cases without allowing women to be present, even to defend themselves. Recognizing this fundamental inequity, a group of women in 2004 established a women’s Jamaat, which soon became a network of 12,000 members spread over 12 districts. Despite enormous resistance, they have been able to settle more than 8,000 cases to date, ranging from divorce to wife beating to brutal murders and more. Deepa Dhanraj follows several cases, shining a light on how the women’s Jamaat has acquired power through both communal education and the leaders’ persistent, tenacious and compassionate investigation of the crimes. In astonishing scenes we watch the Jamaat meetings, where women often shout over each other about the most difficult facets of their personal lives.

Who’s in it. Invoking Justice stars Sharifa Khanam as Self, Humsoon as Self, Taj as Self and Amarunnisa Begum as Self, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 10.0/10, Invoking Justice sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Invoking Justice page.

If you liked it. Fans of Invoking Justice tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.