Cheryl Hess

Marriage Cops

Marriage Cop is a feature-length documentary that examines the state of marriage and family relationships in contemporary India through the eyes of a police officer whose assigned duty is to help settle marital disputes at the Women’s Help Desk in Dehradun. A counterpoint is provided by the stories of the women who go to the Help Desk seeking relief from domestic troubles -abusive spouses, deadbeat dads, and interfering mothers-in-law- the Help Desk sees it all. Will these women resolve their marital woes or will they wind up in divorce court? The first question that Marriage Cop raises is “Why are people going to the police for marriage counseling?”. But perhaps a better question is “Why do women want this?” The story of The Help Desk will challenge audiences′ preconceived notions -about India, about domestic violence, gender roles, and about the very notions of marriage- and what it means to help.

The Pointy Slippers

A woman who, on a date, conceals the excruciating pain caused by her new shoes, only to discover that her hidden suffering takes on a life of its own, becoming impossible to ignore.

She Got Balls!

A South Philly cooking competition ends in controversy when a rumor spreads that the vegan entry has won. Sometimes a meatball is not just a meatball.

Is My Living In Vain

Is My Living in Vain is a meditation on the continuing history and emancipatory potential of the Black church as a space of belonging, affirmation and community organising. Combining shot footage, oral histories and archive material from both sides of the Atlantic, the film follows a tangled thread of personal and collective memories to interrogate the church’s contribution to a Black radical tradition.

Dash, Age 92, Snowboarder

In this poetic micro documentary, shot on expired 16mm film, an aging snowboarder reflects on his relationship with the mountain.