I am a Girl

I AM A GIRL

MOVIEKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES

This Moviekit is designed for programming at American Spaces. American Spaces should work with their Public Affairs Sections to ensure that this movie is appropriate for American Spaces audiences.

Warning: This movie contains mature themes.

FILM INFORMATION

Year Release: 2013
Rating: NR
Duration: 88 min
English Level: Intermediate Director: Rebecca Barry
Starring: Breani, Kimsey, Katie, Aziza, Manu, Habiba
Themes: Women’s Equality, Human Rights

Kanopy Link*:

*Kanopy films are accessible through eLibrary and can be screened at American Spaces through our agreement with eLibrary.

MOVIE CONTEXT

I am a Girl is an inspirational documentary that paints a clear picture of what it means to be a girl in today’s complex world. Although girls make up one quarter of the world’s population, they still face significant discrimination in comparison to other groups.

This documentary provides a compassionate look at six teenage girls from different countries. We meet 14- year-old Kimsey from Cambodia, forced into prostitution at 12; Aziza from Afghanistan, who will be shot if she goes to school; Breani, a teen living in a ghetto of New York City; Katie from Australia, who is recovering from a suicide attempt; Habiba from Cameroon, betrothed to a man 20 years her senior; and Manu from Papua New Guinea, about to become a mother at 14. As they come of age in the way their culture dictates, we see remarkable heartwarming stories of resilience, bravery and humor.

KEY VOCABULARY

Open-minded – Willing to consider new ideas, unprejudiced.

Depression – Feelings of sadness, unhappiness, and sorrow.

Human Trafficking – The recruitment, transportation, harboring, or receipt of persons by improper means (such as force, abduction, fraud, or coercion) for improper purposes including forced labor or sexual exploitation.

Safe Sex – Sexual activity in which people take precautions to protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases.

Social Networking – The practice of expanding the number of one’s business and/or social contacts by making connections through individuals, often through social media sites.

Taliban – A fundamentalist group in Afghanistan condemned for its support of terrorist groups and its poor treatment of women.

Discussion Questions

  • What did you like best about this documentary?
  • Which of the girls’ stories affected you most? Why?
  • What common challenges did all the girls share?
  • Do you know girls who face similar challenges?
  • What are the biggest challenges that girls face in your country? What can you and your community do to help?

Additional Resources

ShareAmerica Articles

The views expressed in these links and resources do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. government.

Updated May 2024