CUTTING TRADITION (THE)
"I don't think it is possible to view this film without becoming energized to want to put an end to this appalling practice." Meryl Streep
*Best Documentary, Victoria Independent Film Festival
*Best Director, Philadelphia Documentary & Fiction Festival
THE CUTTING TRADITION focuses on the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM), a custom which appears barbaric to the westernized eye, but remains common practice in many African and some Middle Eastern countries. Despite being widely banned, FGM continues to be performed on young women and little girls, often exposing them to serious medical and psychological problems. This program delivers a balanced and non-judgmental exploration of the religious, cultural, and historical grounds behind the practice.
Natives of Burkina Faso, Egypt, Djibouti, and Ethiopia express their opinions both in support of and against FGM. Their authentic, undiluted statements highlight how deeply entrenched the practice is within the culture. Narrated by Meryl Streep, the film shares footage of traditional wedding celebrations and a young girl experiencing FGM to deliver a delicate picture of a complicated issue.
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