One of the most riveting and captivating new original short films, that is a must see, is a film called Her Pretty Vagina. Directed by Kiah Clingman (Reasonable Doubt, The Resident, Color Book) this cinema debuted at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) last month with rave reviews.
Following the life of Kaleigh played by Black & Beauty star Taylor Polidore, Her Pretty Vagina tells the story of a young Black woman navigating endometriosis, HPV, and the chronic experience of not being believed by her partner or her doctor. On top of that, the HPV she contracted from her live-in partner added a level of stress and anxiety that her partner refuses to give any real attention to.
Her battle isn’t just at home, it is also in the doctor office. Confronting the systemic and racial barriers that have shaped every step of her health journey, you get a chance to see how it feels to be a black woman in America; UNAPPRECIATED. UNDERVALUED. As many black women feel ignored when it comes to their medical needs, Clingman did an amazing job of bringing awareness to such a relatable, raw and necessary topic.
With HPV being the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., approximately 1 in 4 Americans currently has it. Most people never know. That being said, Black women are approximately 65% more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer than white women, largely due to systemic barriers to screening and care. This film couldn’t have come at a better time.
Her Pretty Vagina is an ode to all women of color who don’t feel seen, or heard when dealing with a medical issues, whether that be at home or in an office.
To learn more about Her Pretty Vagina visit the official website below.
