NFB Collection
KOROMOUSSO: Big Sister
20231 h 16 min 45 secFilm: Documentary
Direction: Habibata OuarmeJim Donovan
Production: Denis McCready (National Film Board of Canada)Nathalie Cloutier (National Film Board of Canada)Christine Aubé (National Film Board of Canada)
Script: Habibata OuarmeJim Donovan
A production of the National Film Board of Canada.
With candor, humour and courage, the main characters in KOROMOUSSO: Big Sister challenge cultural taboos surrounding female sexuality and fight to take back ownership of their bodies. In their quest for individual and collective healing, these radiant, endearing women support each other on a journey that allows them to overcome the trauma of female genital mutilation and rebuild their self-esteem. Speaking for themselves and on their own behalf, they oppose social control of their bodies, inspiring an entire generation of young Canadians and immigrants. “I want the missing piece of me back. I want to be an accomplished woman, a complete woman,” confides Safieta, determined to begin the restorative process undertaken by the film’s co-director, Habibata Ouarme, in 2013.
According to UNICEF, at least 200 million girls and women aged 15 to 49 from 31 countries have been subjected to FGM. Today, many of these women live in Canada, where although the practice is banned, reconstructive surgery is not offered. By interweaving personal accounts of victims of FGM and Habibata’s own journey, KOROMOUSSO: Big Sister explores the phenomenon of FGM as experienced by African immigrant women in Quebec.
Taking a collaborative, inclusive approach and demonstrating immense cultural sensitivity, Habibata and co-director Jim Donovan also examine the shame that can be felt by women subjected to FGM, both socially and when engaging with the Western medical system, which is largely unresponsive to their experience. While attitudes in Africa are slowly changing, the film shows that if all Canadian women are to have access to equitable sexuality, more education is needed within the Quebec and Canadian healthcare system—a task that may well be initiated by these brave sisters in struggle.
Availability
Other versions
Subject categories
- Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism > African Origins
- Developing Countries > Health in AfricaReligion
- Social Issues > Violence Against Women
- Psychology and Psychiatry > Women
- Health and Medicine > Women
Credits
- writer
- Habibata Ouarme
- Jim Donovan
- direction
- Habibata Ouarme
- Jim Donovan
- research
- Habibata Ouarme
- videography
- Vanessa Abadhir
- Jim Donovan
- Habibata Ouarme
- Denis McCready
- sound recording
- François Normandin
- production manager
- James Edward
- Érik Cimon
- narration
- Habibata Ouarme
- narration recording director
- Mélanie Dubois
- editing
- François Normandin
- foley
- Karla Baumgardner
- sound editing
- Catherine Van Der Donckt
- sound design
- Catherine Van Der Donckt
- original music
- Jenny Salgado
- music collaboration
- André Courcy
- musician
- André Courcy
- Sadio Sissokho
- Chantal Bergeron
- Jenny Salgado
- soloist
- Fabiola Aladin
- participation
- Fatima
- Safieta Sawadogo
- Zainabou Ouedraogo
- Papa Ladjiké Diouf
- Angela Deane
- Michel Akotionga
- Vanessa Zandi Simba
- Edwige Goli
- international safety study
- Aléas inc.
- Burkina Faso/Ivory Coast
- Tom Gauvreau
- Éric Beauséjour
- technical support
- Pierre Dupont
- Marie-Josée Gourde
- Patrick Trahan
- online editing
- Denis Pilon
- colorization
- Denis Pilon
- graphic designer
- Cynthia Ouellet
- foley recording
- Geoffrey Mitchell
- sound mixing
- Shelley Craig
- technical coordinator
- Jean-François Laprise
- production coordinator
- Sara Sajedi
- Isabelle Gatti
- marketing manager
- Judith Lessard-Bérubé
- Nathalie Guérard
- administrator
- Alexandrine Torres de Figueiredo
- Sia Koukoulas
- line production
- Alexandrine Torres de Figueiredo
- Geneviève Duguay
- legal counsel
- Julie Patry
- executive producer
- Denis McCready
- Nathalie Cloutier
- producer
- Denis McCready
- Christine Aubé
- subtitling
- MELS Studios
- translation
- MELS Studios
Awards
- Prix JeunesFestival International du Film Documentaire de Martinique
- Honourable Mention- Feature DocumentaryFemale Eye Film Festival