“The Cut” is a short documentary about Mary (14 years old) and Alice (early 20’s) 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.
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.
"The Cut" is a 12 minute film in English, made for an international audience. It can be downloaded for free, for personal use, on www.thecutdocumentary.org . It is also possible to request it for television distribution, as well as screenings in film festivals. Healthcare workers, teachers and others interested in learning more about female genital mutilation will also be offered the opportunity to view the movie. If you are interested in screening the movie, please contact me by mail (press here).
Go to “The Cut”.
Director/writer:
Linda May Kallestein
Main photographer:
Editor:
Trine Nordmark Børstad
Producer:
Produced in 2009.
Funded by: Rogaland Filmkraft, Vestnorsk Filmsenter, Institusjonen Fritt Ord and Helle Bennetts Almennyttige Fond.
PR services provided by LONDON DIGITAL PR.
“The Cut” had its cinema premiere at The Stavanger Short Film Festival 2009 on October 1, 2009. It was also shown at the WT Festival in Norway on November 6th and nominated in the category for Best Documentary Film.
“The Cut” will be followed by a new production on the topic of female genital mutilation as it is practiced in Western countries. The estimated production timeframe will be some time during 2010-11, depending on funding.
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.
“The Cut” focuses on female genital mutilation as it still is practiced (and the reasons for this) in Africa, specifically in Kenya. Although fgm is against the law in Kenya, it is still being practiced among ethnic groups that have traditionally practiced it for centuries. In most of these groups, close to 100% of all girls are still being mutilated.
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.
This is the trailer of the documentary “The Cut”.
“... a compelling documentary.” CNN International.
