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Jaha's Promise

Name: Jaha's Promise
Director: Patrick Farrelly, Kate O'Callaghan
Released: 2017
Duration: 80 min

Representation Score

7.0/10

Good

2017

Director

Patrick Farrelly, Kate O'Callaghan

Runtime

80 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Jaha's Promise is a powerful documentary that centers the ability to act of Jaha Dukureh. It avoids the 'savior' cliché by positioning a Gambian woman as the primary architect of her own liberation and a leader of global change. The film excels in its multi-layered approach, showing how gender and ethnicity intersect in the fight against systemic violence. By focusing on dismantling oppressive historical norms, it provides a profound critique of traditional power structures. However, while the film is a triumph of representation for women and Gambian culture, it lacks explicit focus on LGBTQ+ identities or disability representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does Jaha's Promise have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film addresses issues such as gender-based violence and female genital mutilation. Although there are no explicit LGBTQ narratives, the film’s focus on bodily autonomy aligns with principles of self-determination.

How does Jaha's Promise portray gender?

Excellent

The documentary challenges traditional hierarchies by highlighting a female protagonist who play a significant role in driving the story. It emphasizes female leadership and directly confronts patriarchal traditions and systemic oppression.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Jaha's Promise?

Excellent

By centering a Gambian woman, the film avoids the Western perspective. It gives deep ability to act to characters of color, framing their struggle as a central human rights issue.

How does Jaha's Promise represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The narrative critiques Western-centric views by emphasizing non-Western perspectives on bodily autonomy. It challenges religious and communal institutions that uphold harmful, longstanding traditions.

Does Jaha's Promise include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no specific information regarding the portrayal of physical or neurodivergent disabilities within the film.

Present on Screen

Subverts traditional gender hierarchies through a female-led narrative.
Avoids the Western perspective by centering Gambian expertise and activism.
Emphasizes multi-layered ability to act and bodily autonomy.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation or character arcs for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Provides no visible information regarding disability representation.

Official Synopsis

A documentary about the life and activism of Jaha Dukureh, a Gambian anti-female genital mutilation campaigner who returns to her country of birth to confront the harmful tradition that she and 200 million women and girls have undergone globally.

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