Moolaadé

Moolaadé ("magical protection") is a 2004 film by the Senegalese writer and director Ousmane Sembène. It addresses the subject of female genital cutting, a common practice in a number of African countries, especially nations immediately south of the Sahara Desert. The film is a co-production between companies from several Francophone nations: Senegal, France, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Morocco and Tunisia. It was filmed in the remote village of Djerrisso, Burkina Faso.

The film is set in a village in Burkina Faso. The film argues strongly against the practice, depicting a village woman, Colle, who uses "moolaadé" (magical protection) to protect a group of girls. She is opposed by the villagers who believe in the necessity of circumcision, which they call "purification".

Accolades
The film won the Prix Un Certain Regard and a special mention in the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. Prominent American film critic Roger Ebert was a big supporter of the film when it was released, naming it one of his top ten of the year.