American Circumcision

The documentary approaches circumcision from multiple angles through a bodily autonomy lens. The film highlights many interviews in private and outdoors with doctors, parents, circumcised men, and psychologists. The film shows both circumcision proponents and anti-circumcision activists. Also included are circumcision practitioners and self-described circumcision survivors. These interviews vary between being sparingly edited and quickly played against each other. Other sources include news broadcasts, protests, and medical presentations.^[1]

The introduction of the film provides an overview of circumcision, the reasons why it's performed, and circumcision controversies.^[1]

Later the interviewees talk openly about the medical, personal, and sexual benefits of foreskin. Brian Morris, a prominent infant circumcision advocate^[2] makes his impassioned case for the procedure, largely based on its use to reduce HIV rates and certain cancers such as penile cancer and cervical cancer. Explicit parallels are drawn between circumcision and female genital mutilation.^[3]

The film also explains foreskin restoration, showing various restoration devices.^[4][5] Parents and children talk about how circumcision and grief relating to it has hurt them and their family.^[4][6] The surgical procedure is described in detail and parts of a circumcision on a newborn child are shown. A segment focuses on circumcision opposition within Judaism and the practice of Brit shalom.^[1]

Medical professionals, parents, activists, children, and Jewish speakers share how they grow to accept having performed circumcisions or being circumcised.^[6] Many of them share that leaning into activism allows them to transmute their regret, fear, grief, and sadness into inspiration to make sure no one else has to experience their pain.^[7]