Making Waves

Role: Cinematographer
Producer / Director: Alice McDowell
Production Company: 180 Studios
Location: The Gambia, West Africa
Completed – Private Client: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance IDEA

View: Teaser
Shoot & Edit: Dan Schist

Description:
For the last three decades, Dr Isatou Touray has been leading Gambian women into new territory; into a place where their vaginas and their bodily dignity, heath and sexuality are things to be protected, nurtured and celebrated. Moving strategically across the country, Isatou and her team at GAMCOTRAP train and sensitise communities about the dangers of traditional practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM). In the face of threats, intimidation, incarceration and vilification from both state and non-state actors, the ‘Vagina Queen’ will stop at nothing to achieve her goal: to declare The Gambia ‘FGM free’ by the year 2020