Ijapari Ben-Hirki

Photographer JB returns to Northern Nigeria, where a photo of his childhood love sparks a surreal journey of memory, healing, and self-discovery.

Henna tells the moving story of a young girl from Northern Nigeria whose life is shaped by the intersecting challenges of child marriage and abuse. Married off in her adolescence, she escapes her home seeking freedom, only to face new trauma when she is sexually assaulted by someone she trusts. Through Henna’s journey of pain, courage, and eventual self-discovery, the film sheds light on the urgent need to protect vulnerable girls and end cycles of violence and neglect. Ultimately, Henna is a story of resilience and hope—affirming that one’s past does not define one’s future.