‘Mrs. Goundo’s Daughter’

integrity and solidarity of women in the face of staggering adversity,” by Ed Gonzalez of The Village Voice, the documentary follows Mrs. Goundo, a Malian immigrant living in Philadelphia, as she embarks on a legal campaign to stay in the States once her status as an illegal immigrant is discovered.

A victim of female genital mutilation herself, Mrs. Goundo knows that a return to Mali, where the dangerous and life-threatening practice is the norm, will undoubtedly result in her young daughter being circumcised against her will.

Examining the issues of immigration, women’s rights and adherence to tradition, “Mrs. Goundo’s Daughter” will leave viewers enlightened, disturbed, and, hopefully, motivated to affect change in their own corner of the globe. The film premieres on Feb. 9 at 7:00 p.m. (ET) with encore airings at 12:00 a.m. (ET)/9:00 p.m. (PT).

AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange, produced by NBPC and co-presented by American Public Television (APT), premiered on Jan. 12 and runs through Feb. 14 on World, the 24-hour documentary channel. Check www.blackpublicmedia.org or your local listings for air dates on World and on additional public television stations.

A trailer for Mrs. Goundo’s Daughter (as well as the other seven films featured in the series), interviews with the filmmakers and other behind-the-scenes information on the documentaries including blogs, virtual talks centered on topical themes and filmmaking contests can be found at www.blackpublicmedia.org, the official website of NBPC.

Additionally, Adisa Septuri’s documentary, “A Day Without Mines,” on his mission to provide child laborers in Sierra Leone with scholarships and a one-day football tournament, will be available for viewing online at the site.

Girls before excision.
Photo courtesy of Attie & Goldwater Productions
Photo courtesy of Attie & Goldwater Productions