Inspirational story on the big screen

The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe makes its cinema debut.

The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe will be released in Australian cinemas next month.

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When director Ros Horin sat down with a group of four Western Sydney women five years ago, she could not have predicted that five theatre seasons and a documentary would follow.

The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe, which enjoyed sold-out shows over five seasons across Sydney and the United Kingdom, will debut on the big screen next month.

The new documentary will tell the stories of how the four African women involved in the show — Yarrie, Aminata, Yordanos and Rosemary — not only survived abuse but rebuilt their lives.

Director Ros Horin.

Over 70 hours of footage was condensed into the 81-minute film, which screened at both the 2016 Sydney and Melbourne International Film Festivals and will make its national cinema debut from October 6.

“What I was focusing on in the film, what really got me going, was asking the question of how can women survive something like this and how can they ever put their lives back together again,” Ms Horin said.

“And how are women who have been raped treated in their communities - and not very nicely is quite often the answer.

“We’re hoping the film will change that attitude, the kind of message of the film is breaking that silence and saying it is important that women who have been through it speak out about it and are accepted in their communities.”

Ms Horin said the film was a story of “human resilience”.

“In the film you watch them gradually grow in strength from being traumatised and in pain,” she said.

“And through the process of speaking out and telling their stories on stage ... you see how they become empowered and strengthened.

“And really it is a journey of watching these women find their voice and put themselves back together again.”

Perhaps no one can put it better than Yordanos, who says at the end of the film: “I found my voice. I found me.”

What: The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe documentary screening with Q & A by director Ros Horin and cast member Yordanos

When: Saturday, October 8, from 4pm

Where: Event Cinemas Castle Hill

Tickets: $12 for members, $8.50 for seniors. Non-members pay full price. Book online at eventcinemas.com.au ($1.20 online booking fee applies) or at the Castle Hill box office.