Review of Moolaadé (2004) by Todd S — 30 Jul 2008
To those that have said this film is not worth seeing because its message is obvious, well, I couldn't disagree more. However inexplicable the practice may seem to Americans, the fact is that 90% of the women in more than half a dozen African countries are subjected to female genital mutilation.
Unlike liberal guilt fodder such as "Hotel Rwanda", "Moolade" is intriguing as much for its feminist message as for its realistic portrayal of an African village society, so rarely depicted to Western audiences.
Furthermore, the film goes beyond a simplistic indictment of FGM, and explores how even the victims in a rigid social hierarchy can work to perpetuate its continuance (in this society it is the women that carry out the circumcisions and castigate those who refuse to participate).
Despite the heaviness of the subject matter, though, "Moolaade" is filled with vitality and its message is genuinely empowering.
This review of Moolaadé (2004) was written by Todd S on 30 Jul 2008.
Moolaadé has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
