'Iron Ladies of Liberia' details the country's journey from internal conflict to democracy, and the personal journeys of several of its women.

The main "iron lady" to whom the title refers is Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who in January 2006 became Africa's first ever freely elected female head of state.

She allowed a film crew unprecedented access during her first year in office, with the result being this fly-on-the wall documentary.

Co-director Siatta Scott-Johnson explains that the preceding 14 years of civil war devastated Liberia and robbed her of her childhood.

She expresses hope that the new regime will signal a brighter future for her two children.

That's no easy task for President Johnson Sirleaf, who inherited a nation with 90 percent unemployment, no electricity or running water, a $3.7 billion debt and a fragile calm only held together by a UN peacekeeping force. The cameras follow her as she takes on angry former soldiers, rioting street traders and corrupt immigration officials.

She's also unafraid to ruffle feathers, making the risky move of tackling Liberia's largest employer, US rubber company Firestone, over poor pay and conditions for its workers.

She remarks at one point: "Are we ready? Ready or not we've got to get on the path. I may face demonstration. I may face anger – but I think in the end it's good for our country."

The President also appoints other women to positions of power, with the documentary focusing in particular on Minister of Finance Antoinette Sayeh and Police chief Beatrice Munah Sieh. Dr. Sayeh inherited a debt 30 times the national budget and corrupt staff who continue their underhanded dealings despite the regime change.

The film details her wrangles with the World Bank and other powerful entities, with officials dragging their feet as she struggles to move forward. "Women have not been, to the same extent as men, party to all of the bad things of the past. They certainly were very strong voices against the atrocities in Liberia in the war, and they fought very, very hard to make sure that the democratic process worked this time around. And so, this is our biggest opportunity to change Liberia," she explains.

The President threatens to fire her if she doesn't get to grips with corruption during one Cabinet meeting shown in the documentary. How many heads of state would allow that to be filmed, nevermind allowing cameras into her dressing room while she's having her makeup done? Meanwhile Police Chief Sieh has taken on a force with no guns, no handcuffs, no cars – not even paper to write on. Her officers have more of a reputation for causing fear than calming it.

"I want to prove a point – that women can be trusted and placed in dangerous positions and they can do even better," she tells the filmmakers.

She tackles her task with humour, quipping as her first consignment of guns arrives from Nigeria: "Well, it makes me feel like a real woman!" There's no "happy ever after" ending to this story. However, with Liberia taking faltering steps forward in dealing with its legacy, there is nonetheless a feeling of hope, as the closing credits roll, that Ms Scott-Johnson's wish for her children may come true.

Iron Ladies of Liberia will be screened tomorrow at 9.15 p.m. at Little Theatre and again on Monday at 6.30 p.m. at the BUEI auditorium.