The film accompanies Kadiatu Suma/ Kate Kendel back to her native Sierra Leone looking into the harmful practice of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation). The film provides information on the physical and mental consequences of FGM and it makes you understand why FGM is still practiced and how to stop it.
Don’t fear - The Secret Pain includes NO terrifying pictures of the actual cutting.
The film is not just a propaganda film against FGM. It is the true story of a life, and it has a real woman as its main character. Through the film we learn about her life and her feelings. The film becomes emotionally strong, because the audience is able to identify with the main character. And when you identify with a person, you get a deeper understanding of the many facts presented in the film.
IAC member Mrs. Olayinka Koso-Thomas , FGM Public Health Consultant & Specialist, Sierra Leone.
Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), July 2006. The film was received with standing ovation by a mixed African and international public. Long debates followed after each screening. The French film festival FIPA in Biarritz, January 2007. 2.000 films competed for participation, but only 240 were selected, among them The Secret Pain.
The multicultural film festival, Salaam DK, March 2007. Two succesfull screenings in the School Section Programme.
* * * * Politiken : "A very important film against female circumcision… A moving story."
* * * * Berlingske Tidende: "A poignant and courageous film….beautifully shot by Simon Plum… Undeniably one of this year's powerful Danish documentaries”.
Thanks to generous sponsorship from The Oak Foundation by Eva Truelsen, a brand new multi-language DVD of the film is now available fee of charge for African users. This new DVD includes versions spoken in the following languages: 1) Creol voices, 2) Arab voices, 3) French-African voices, 4) Kiswahili voices. This means that you don’t have to possess reading abilities in order to understand the film. Furthermore the new DVD includes versions with subtitles in the following languages: English, French, Arab and Danish.