The Story
TAHARA is the story of Amina, an Egyptian housewife living in Los Angeles, who must decide if she will follow tradition and circumcise her daughter, Suha, or if she will abandon this age old practice and save Suha from circumcision. Despite it's illegality, Amina feels strongly that she must continue this tradition because of pressure she receives from her mother, Zeinab, when her husband is away on a business trip.

Amina solicits the services of a surgeon who informs her of the serious health consequences of the procedure. He refuses. When Amina returns home Zeinab argues with her and insists they will take Suha to the local daya (an illegal circumciser). Amina tosses and turns all night.

The next day at the daya's house Amina sits amongst the women with Suha beside her. As Amina takes Suha through the customary rites-of-passage, she recalls the rich, colorful pageantry of her own circumcision, which provides her with strength. However, Amina is also assaulted by repressed memories of her own brutal operation. She is confronted with the horrendous pain she endured and the abandonment she felt by her mother.

Will Amina find the necessary courage to confront her mother, Zeinab, to defy tradition and save her daughter from the brutal psychological and physical effects of circumcision? Or, will she submit Suha to the same horrifying fate?

Amina's dilemma represents the dilemma of many women who live in denial of their own oppression and cultural abuse. They will see Amina's struggles as their own. The film will hopefully encourage them to find the courage to embrace truth in order to heal from their cultural wounds. TAHARA represents the voices of women and girls who are suffering silently. TAHARA breaks the silence. Women must know they are not suffering alone.

TAHARA is a universal story that will appeal to a broad audience.  It's an archetypal story about generational conflict and the immense power mothers and daughters, fathers and sons exert on each other.  It's a story of a family struggling to stay connected to their roots.  It's a story about growing multiculturalism and what it means in the United States and abroad.  It's a story about the tyranny of culture and family. TAHARA takes creative risks on issues not usually seen and will connect with a worldwide audience.

Contact us today for a listing of showings in your area, or for more information
on opening further dialogue about this explosive issue.
Phone (310) 458-3298  Mobile (310) 925-8106

The Pricing for the movie is as follows:
$35 for Individuals and Nonprofit Organizations
$200 for Institutions and Libraries

The following payment options can be used to purchase a copy of the film.