Pray the Devil Back to Hell (US, 2008)

This well-intentioned, if not especially artful documentary by Gini Reticker examines the efforts of a group of Liberian women (both Christian and Muslim) to put an end to the sectarian violence which has been plaguing their country for decades. Like a real-life version of Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, these iron ladies stopped at nothing — including withholding sex from their mates — to help topple the genocidal regime of president Charles Taylor. The most compelling moments of the film are direct-to-camera testimonials by some of the female activists who offer first-hand accounts of their struggle to achieve peace. Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque. At 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1. HH 1/2