In the 45-minute documentary, which has been available to watch in the ARD media library since December 13, 2023, Ninve Ermagan meets gynecologist Mandy Mangler, who, as head gynecologist in Berlin, is doing everything she can to put an end to the misconception about the so-called virgin skin. She talks to women like Yasemin Toprak, who was rejected by her devout family, and meets Anne Fleck, a self-confessed virgin. She also talks to the men from the Berlin association “Heroes”, who provide training to support people who no longer want to live according to outdated patriarchal rules. And she interviews the committed teacher Sina Krüger, who has managed to correct outdated representations in textbooks for German schools.

The research also shows that social education is urgently needed: painful “hymen reconstructions” are still being offered in Germany, companies advertise fake “restoration of virginity” with artificial blood capsules, women are pressured with the claim of virginity and forced to undergo painful procedures. Virginity is not a biological condition, but a socially constructed instrument of power that exerts control over women. With religious, political, cultural and economic consequences.

The film MYTHOS JUNGFERNHÄUTCHEN is a production of UFA Documentary commissioned by Bayerischer Rundfunk (lead producer), Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk and Rundfunk Berlin Brandenburg for the ARD-Mediathek. The producer is Gwendolin Szyszkowitz. The producer is Alexandra Wiedner. The script and direction are by Lena Kupatz. Gordon Volk and Hannes Wichmann are responsible for the visual design. The editors are Sonja Scheider and Sylvia Griss (BR), Saskia Barthel (MDR) and Ulrike Bieritz (RBB).