FLESH OUT

MICHELA OCCHIPINTI | ITALY | 2019 | 94 MIN | NR | HASSANIYA

Verida (Verida Beitta Ahmed Deiche), a young and modern-thinking woman living in Mauritania, is pressured to begin Gavage, the tradition of gaining a substantial amount of weight in anticipation of an impending arranged marriage. Averaging ten meals throughout the day, Verida reluctantly works towards a more voluptuous body to appease her family and become attractive for her husband-to-be. In the face of such pressure, Verida resists more and more until she ends up hiding a highly controversial secret from her family. Directed by Michela Occhipinti, Flesh Out beautifully explores our relationships with our bodies and examines the dangerous and unattainable beauty standards forced on women all over the world.

Cast: Verida Beitta Ahmed Deiche, Amal Saab Bouh Oumar, Aichetou Abdallahi Najim, Sidi Mohamed Chighaly

“Offers a fresh perspective on body image and self-worth that will strike a timely chord.” –Screen Daily

Part of the Philadelphia Film Society’s WORLD VIEW series.