User:Lindamayk

The Cut -Documentary on Female Genital Mutilation

The Cut is a documentary film []about female genital mutilation []. The film will be launched September 1, 2009. The official website http://thecutdocumentary.org is the main distribution channel for the film. Other distribution will be film festivals, public events and tv broadcast on request.

The film is viewable online for private use, free of charge- with a donation possibility. Donations will go partly toward production of the next film with the working title "The Cut - Migrated". This follow up film will have its main focus on the situation of fgm in western countries. Another part of the donation will be given to grassroot organizations working directly at eradicating fgm and providing help for fgm victims.

About the film itself: The Cut is a 12 minute documentary about Mary (14 years old) and Alice (early 20s) from Kenya. Both are affected by the traditional rite of passage into womanhood: genital cutting.

Mary and her community are preparing for her ceremonial cutting.

Alice is studying to be a social worker to work against female genital mutilation. As the first in her community to refuse the practice, she has paid a high price for her choice to break with tradition.

Alice tells of the different myths she encounters in the community around her, as to why circumcision is practiced. Mary, on the other hand, has no voice. She just goes through the preparations and rituals in silence.

Female Genital Mutilation - FGM - affects the lives of girls and women almost all over the world. This 5000 year old African practice has migrated and has become an increasing problem in Western countries. It is condemned and outlawed.

Yet it still goes on. Often underground. In order to eradicate FGM, it is important to understand WHY it is practiced. This is what "The Cut" aims to do.

Director/writer: Linda May Kallestein Photographer: Justo N. Casal Editor: Trine Nordmark Børstad Producer: Phantomfilm