Frequently Asked Questions
- Is your film for or against circumcision?
- Do you agree with everything your interview subjects say?
- Do you have a personal opinion on this issue?
- Is your film independent?
- How was your film funded?
- Why did you choose to fund the film that way?
- Do you show a circumcision in the film?
- Will you release an edit that does not show the procedure?
- Can I show my kids the film?
- How can I see the film?
- Is the film on Netflix?
- Is the Netflix version different?
- What is circumcision?
- Where is circumcision practiced?
- Isn’t circumcision ‘normal?’
- What is the circumcision rate in the United States?
- Is circumcision medically necessary?
- What is Intactivism?
- Are you Intactivists?
- Why cover Intactivism?
- Who are the Intactivists?
- Is Intactivism a left-wing or right-wing thing?
- Isn’t circumcision just a Jewish thing?
- How does your film handle Jewish circumcision?
- Are there Jews against circumcision?
- What about anti-semitism?
- Did any Jewish people work on this film?
- Do you cover FGM or female genital cutting in the film?
The Film
Is your film for or against circumcision?
Neither. We present multiple perspectives on both sides of the issue and allow the audience to come to their own conclusions.
Do you agree with everything your interview subjects say?
No. We present a variety of perspectives in the film, some of which directly disagree with each other, and allow the audience to come to their own conclusions. Likewise, many of our interview subjects disagree with each other, and do not share the views of the filmmakers.
Do you have a personal opinion on this issue?
Although researching this issue for several years has given us our own perspective, we believe our role is to create dialogue, not be an ideologue. Doing that means representing all of our interview subjects fairly and accurately, even those we disagree with.
Yes. Our film is 100% independent. We have had people on both sides of the circumcision debate demand we edit our film according to their agenda and have refused in each case, because we wish to maintain our artistic integrity. Our film is not associated with any other organization, movement, or side of the circumcision debate.
We shot the film with our own money, and funded post-production through Kickstarter.
Why did you choose to fund the film that way?
By self-funding and crowdfunding, we were able to keep the film entirely independent and ensure no outside group had control over our edit. We also felt that this issue was so important that we were willing to contribute our own time and money to making the project.
Do you show a circumcision in the film?
Yes, twice, but each scene is short, and we put a warning onscreen before showing the procedure.
Will you release an edit that does not show the procedure?
No, however the current edit has a warning onscreen before the two scenes that show the procedure making it easy to skip if you just want to watch the rest of the film.
Our film includes explicit discussion of sexuality, anatomy, and trauma. We also show the procedure of circumcision on-screen. While it’s up to you, this film has a heavy trigger warning and is not intended for immature audiences.
You can a copy right here.
Yes. Search “circumcision” on Netflix to find it or click here.
Is the Netflix version different?
Yes. Some scenes were blurred for Netflix at their request (mainly the circumcision scene). However, no scenes are missing and all other content is the same. We know this may upset some viewers, but we ask that you give Netflix nothing but pure positivity and support for sharing our film. You can still get the uncensored version here.
Circumcision
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin, the foremost part of the male penis. In America, it is typically practiced on infant males within the first few days of life.
Where is circumcision practiced?
America is the only industrialized country that routinely practices non-religious infant circumcision. Circumcision is practiced as a religious custom in Jewish and Islamic countries, and a tribal custom in some African countries, but the rest of the world does not routinely circumcise their newborn infant males.
Non-religious infant circumcision is only routinely practiced in the United States. Most of the world does not practice circumcision, and many foreigners are shocked when they learn that Americans circumcise their children, because circumcision is considered abnormal by most of the world.
What is the circumcision rate in the United States?
It is hard to get accurate data on circumcision rates, because unless the procedure is done in a hospital, it may not be recorded. However, the rate is trending downward. Circumcision used to be the majority in America, and has since fallen to around 50%, in part to the efforts of the Intactivist movement.
Is circumcision medically necessary?
No. Even the pro-circumcision doctors we interviewed acknowledge circumcision is not medically necessary. The majority of men in the world go their whole life without circumcision.
Intactivism
Intactivism is a social movement of people who believe that all human beings have the right to their own bodies and that to cut off part of a person’s body without their consent is a violation of human rights. Intactivists oppose forced female genital cutting, genital surgeries on the intersex, and infant male circumcision.
No. Although our film covers the Intactivist movement, we are not members ourselves.
Intactivists are now at the center of the circumcision debate. Even a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Circumcision told us that Intactivists are now the most interesting topic for discussion in this controversy. It would be impossible to do a balanced or complete film about circumcision that did not cover them.
Intactivism is an incredibly diverse movement that brings together people from every background and social group. It includes many professionals, such as doctors, birth professionals, academics, and educators. It even brings together groups which normally do not get along on other issues, like feminists and men’s rights activists, or atheists and the deeply religious. The only requirement for Intactivism is that you support human rights for all children.
Is Intactivism a left-wing or right-wing thing?
Neither. Intactivists want human rights for all children, regardless of their parents political beliefs. In making this film, we have met Intactivists on both sides of nearly every modern issue. No matter what your political beliefs are, everyone cares about their children.
Religion
Isn’t circumcision just a Jewish thing?
The largest circumcising group in the world is Muslims. The second largest is Americans. The third largest is Jews. While many Jews do practice circumcision, the vast majority of circumcision in America is non-religious circumcision carried out by non-Jewish people, with no ritual or religious significance.
How does your film handle Jewish circumcision?
A quarter of our interview subjects are Jewish, as are many of the people who worked on our film behind the camera. Although the focus of our film is non-religious medicalized circumcision in the United States, we interview many Jewish voices both for and against circumcision.
Are there Jews against circumcision?
Yes. There is a growing Jewish movement against circumcision, and many Jewish families are choosing to do a Jewish naming ceremony that does not involve genital cutting, sometimes called Brit Shalom.
We strongly oppose anti-semitism, and bigotry in any form. A significant portion of our cast and crew are Jewish. We made this film because we want to bring truthful information about this issue to all people, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or background.
Did any Jewish people work on this film?
Yes. Nearly a quarter of our interview subjects are Jewish, as are several of the people who worked on this film behind the camera and supported it through crowdfunding. We also had several Jewish people in our early private test screenings whose feedback was immensely helpful and whose response to the film has been overwhelmingly positive.
Do you cover FGM or female genital cutting in the film?
Yes, we interviewed more than one woman who has experienced female genital cutting. We ask them about their personal story, activism, and whether or not they think male circumcision is comparable to female genital cutting. (Their answers may surprise you, but you’ll have to watch the film to hear what they have to say.)