By Aminata Ceesay
The G-Empire, a film organization has produced Gambia’s first movie on Female Genital Mutilation called ‘Bleeding Blade’ set to be launched on 30 September 2017 at Gamcotrap hall in Kanifing.
The movie was produced as part of the campaign set aside by associations and organizations in the fight to end Female Genital Mutilation.
In an interview with The Standard, Bakary S Sonko, the CEO of G-Empire, highlighted the significance of producing a movie on FGM, which he described as a great move in ending FGM and exposing its health complications.
He said: “As film makers we intend to bring stories that are relevant to our society, the film is the first Gambian film on FGM. FGM as we know is a harmful traditional practice which should be abolished. We find it relevant to add our voice in the fight against harmful traditional practices by producing this film.
“The film portrays arrays of negative impacts and complications associated with female genital mutilation which if watched and digested, will have impact on the fight and campaign against FGM and being an audio visual its impact could be immeasurable both in and outside the Gambia.”
He added: “I recently met a young brilliant lady who was a victim of child and forced marriage and we are looking at the possibilities of making it into a film provided that we have the funds available. I don’t think any girl deserves to go through the trauma she has gone through and no child deserves to be a mother no matter what. We have taken upon myself to champion the welfare of children much especially the girl child. Advocacy is at the fore front of our agenda.
“We are working on a lot of projects as at now. We have a team called ‘team Sankanu’. There is a Mandingka film we are making and it will come out next month.
“Right now we do not have any sponsors for this movie, the film budget is exclusively been provided by Prince Babucarr Aminata Sankanu, the CEO of Sanxaanu Kaggoro film kaffo which is the parent body of G-Empire Film. We do everything on our own.”
