In Search…

Monday, June 17, 2019

Expected to attend: Beryl Magoko (director) and Nisha Varia (Advocacy Director, Women’s Rights Division, Human Rights Watch).

US Premiere!

Director Beryl Magoko is embarking on a personal journey to courageously face her past, to accept and love herself and her own body. When Beryl learns of an opportunity for reconstructive surgery for the female genital mutilation she and her friends underwent as young girls, she has a growing community of women to consult, but ultimately, the decision is hers. Hosting frank and raw discussions with women – from friends and family in her rural birthplace in Kenya, to new friends in cities around Europe – together they uncover the beauty of collective strength and insight, examine the importance of female pleasure, and shed societally imposed shame around women’s bodies.

“When you cut the roots of a tree, it will never blossom. It will wither. That is what happens when you chop off the genitals of a woman. You silence her. You suppress her.” – Beryl Magoko, Director

Winner of the 2019 Human Rights Watch Film Festival Nestor Almendros award for courage in filmmaking

In German, English, Kikuria, and Swahili, fully subtitled in English.

Screening as part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival 2019.




  • Country Germany
  • Language In German, English, Kikuria, and Swahili with English subtitles.
  • Year 2018
  • Running Time 90 minutes
  • Distributor TBD
  • Director Beryl Magoko

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.