Synopsis
In Argentina, the victims of femicide amount to one woman every 23 hours. This documentary portrays the life of four social workers and psychologists who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to assist, help and accompany different women who suffer domestic, sexual, and family violence.
A word from Tënk
Latin American societies have been under the economic and political domination of the IMF and the US for decades. As a result, economic instability and social inequalities have risen, leaving local populations struggling to simply survive.
Governments overwhelmed by internal economic crises, find themselves unable to strike a balance and ensure justice and equality for all. The immense chasm that separates social strata creates a sense of fracture and an entire section of the population finds itself marginalized and rendered invisible. These factors aggravate the social issues already present and increase violence, which has become a real public health problem in recent years.
Phone Line 137 follows a support program created by the Argentine state in 2016. It’s a 24-hour hotline aimed at helping women who find themselves in situations of domestic abuse. The film follows 4 social workers in 5 of the cities where this program has been implemented. Despite the repetitive and systemic nature of the cases seen, the existence of such a hotline provides a glimmer of hope.
Mon Ross
Artistic director of Cinéma de femmes
