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Cut: Exposing FGM Worldwide

Cut: Exposing FGM Worldwide

2017

Director

John Chua

Runtime

86 minutes

Average Rating

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Synopsis

Taking more than six years to complete, The Cut is a feature-length documentary that conclusively proves that female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM) can be found as a native practice on all inhabitable continents. From war zones in the Middle-East to bucolic Middle America, the film visits 14 countries and features key interviews with FGM survivors, activists, cutters, doctors and researchers to uncover an often secret practice shrouded in centuries of traditions, mysticisms and irrationalities.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.9/10

Good

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film focuses on the systemic practice of FGM rather than centering LGBTQ+ identities. While the themes of bodily autonomy overlap with queer theory, there is no specific evidence of non-cisnormative character arcs.

Gender Representation

Excellent

The narrative prioritizes the agency of women by providing a platform for survivors and activists. It disrupts patriarchal hierarchies by positioning women as central agents of change rather than passive victims.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Excellent

The documentary demonstrates exceptional global inclusivity by visiting 14 countries across all inhabitable continents. This avoids a Western-centric view, offering a complex look at how ethnicity and geography intersect with systemic harm.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Good

The film adopts a secularist lens to critique traditionalism and religious mysticism. It challenges the idea that tradition justifies systemic harm, deconstructing the authority of certain cultural institutions.

Disability Representation

Fair

The focus remains on the physical consequences of FGM and bodily integrity. There is no specific evidence regarding the portrayal of neurodivergence or other forms of disability.

Strengths

  • Exceptional global inclusivity across 14 countries and all inhabitable continents.
  • Strong emphasis on female agency, positioning women as central agents of change.
  • Effective deconstruction of oppressive traditionalist and religious hierarchies.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lack of explicit representation regarding LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisnormative arcs.
  • Limited evidence of how neurodivergence or other disabilities are portrayed.
  • Narrow focus on physical trauma rather than broader disability perspectives.

AI Analysis

Cut: Exposing FGM Worldwide is a deeply global documentary that succeeds in its mission to provide an intersectional view of a systemic issue. By spanning 14 countries and every inhabitable continent, the film avoids a monolithic perspective, instead highlighting how diverse ethnic and cultural landscapes experience this practice. The film's greatest strength lies in its gendered narrative architecture. It empowers women by centering the voices of survivors and activists, effectively subverting traditional patriarchal power dynamics. This approach transforms the subjects from victims into essential truth-tellers. However, the documentary's scope is specialized. While it tackles bodily autonomy, it does not explicitly address LGBTQ+ identities or neurodivergence. The focus remains strictly on the physical and cultural dimensions of FGM.

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