Posted by Directed by Linda Verweyen, this German production follows a Somali woman returning home after reconstructive surgery following female genital mutilation, offering a focused and personal perspective on resilience.
A Story Shaped by Lived Experience
Halima – Eine Anleitung zum Starksein traces this journey through moments of reflection and quiet resilience as its central character navigates what comes after.
Rather than emphasizing events, it focuses on experience, how identity and strength take shape over time.
While the film centers on a single character, Halima is shaped by the shared experiences of five women affected by FGM who contributed to the project.
This perspective informs the narrative, grounding it in reality while maintaining a focused and intimate point of view.
Set within the context of displacement and integration, the film also addresses everyday racism and the complexities of navigating life as a refugee woman in contemporary Germany.
A Collective Approach to Filmmaking
Made as Verweyen’s graduation film, the project was developed collectively by Hawo Abdulle, Fahma Farah, Eido M. Abdillahi, Jawahir M. Siad, Fartuun Abdelkhdir, and Verweyen herself, each contributing to the narrative, development, and production.
Verweyen, currently pursuing a Master’s degree in film directing at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences, brings a background in Expressive Arts in Social Transformation, shaping a practice rooted in the social impact of storytelling.
Rather than speaking about its subjects, the film is built with them, resulting in a work that feels grounded, direct, and closely aligned with the realities it portrays.
Blending Documentary and Fiction
Working within a docu-fiction form, the film moves between reality and narrative structure. The events depicted are rooted in real experiences, yet framed within a cohesive story that allows the audience to engage with both the personal and the broader context.
It relies on presence and testimony rather than explanation, maintaining clarity without overstatement. This balance gives the work a strong sense of immediacy while preserving narrative cohesion.
Voice, Agency, and Representation
One of the film’s most distinctive elements is its commitment to voice and agency. The women behind Halima are not subjects of observation; they are co-authors of the narrative.
The film addresses FGM not as an abstract issue, but as a lived and ongoing reality, while also confronting structural racism and the complexities of identity in a Western context. At the same time, it avoids simplification, presenting its central figure—and those she represents—as individuals with agency, perspective, and strength.
The intention is to create a space where those affected can recognize themselves, while also inviting broader audiences to engage with these realities in a more direct and human way.
A Film Built on Collaboration
Produced on a budget of approximately €40,000 (around $43,000 USD), Halima – Eine Anleitung zum Starksein reflects both resourcefulness and a clear sense of purpose.
The film also serves as a model for participatory filmmaking, seeking to challenge traditional power dynamics in storytelling and bring narratives closer to lived reality.
With its combination of collective authorship, grounded perspective, and a clear commitment to social impact, Halima – Eine Anleitung zum Starksein stands as a compelling work within this month’s selection.
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