The Unkindest Cut

Female circumcision is completely alien to most Americans, but it's a widespread custom in many places around the world — and a custom that's become extremely controversial as a growing number of organizations label it a human-rights violation. "Most of us living in Colorado know relatively little about the practice...

By Jason Heller

May 20, 2010

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Female circumcision is completely alien to most Americans, but it's a widespread custom in many places around the world — and a custom that's become extremely controversial as a growing number of organizations label it a human-rights violation. "Most of us living in Colorado know relatively little about the practice of female circumcision, which affects three million girls every year," says Barbara Bridges, founder and president of Women + Film, a monthly series sponsored by Denver Film Society.

To help educate audiences, Women + Film has chosen the documentary Mrs. Goundo's Daughter as May's featured selection. "We're proud to present a very watchable, non-graphic film about this human-rights issue," says Bridges of the movie, which follows the struggle of a Malian mother to gain asylum in the United States in order to protect her two-year-old daughter from a traumatizing — some say mutilating — circumcision. "Through one mother's passionate story, we understand the struggle between the activists fighting to end this practice and the traditionalists who defend it."

Mrs. Goundo's Daughter screens tonight at 8 p.m. at the Starz FilmCenter, 900 Auraria Parkway. The film’s co-producer and editor, Sabrina Schmidt Gordon, will be on hand; a reception will follow. Admission is $25, $20 for DFS members; for more information, call 303-595-3456 or visit www.denverfilm.org. 4
Tue., May 25, 2010

Jason Heller is a staff writer at Westword. He's the author of the book Strange Stars: David Bowie, Pop Music, and the Decade Sci-Fi Exploded (Melville House/Penguin Random House), and has contributed to the New Yorker, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and NPR.org. His work has won a Hugo Award and a Colorado Press Association Award.

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