🩸Normalizing 'menstruation' through Fiction🎞️
Can fiction films throw a much-needed light on one of the most taboo subjects around the world?
When it comes to showcasing menstruation in fiction films, it’s usually a trope inserted in a storyline to bring a few cheap “😂” or a disgusted “🤢” or the fearful “😱” from the audience. Menstruation is never the true focus of the storyline but a lead-in to show that the protagonist is growing up or acting strange, silly or ridiculous. While informational documentaries on menarche can be found aplenty, there has been little done to empower and fund young storytellers from different countries to tell different perspectives around periods so they can normalize conversations in their countries.
I scavenged the internet to find the best indie filmmakers as well as large film producers from around the globe who have used the fiction genre to showcase menstruation in all its blood and glory.
Hinekura (2019)
New Zealand
Writer/Director/Producer Becs Arahanga explores menstruation from the perspective of indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand in the1600s. For the film’s main character Hine, her menarche reveals her new role in the tribe, and brings her one step closer to her journey towards full empowerment and finding sisterhood. In Maori culture and tradition, there is nothing disgusting or damning about starting or having your period. Instead, colonization played a role in building negative perceptions around menstruation.
Mothering (2019)
United Kingdom
Lucy Bridger’s short film Mothering explores the story of Mia, a girl who moves into a foster home & starts her period for the first time on the first night in her new home. From wrapping toilet paper around her underwear to scouring the house for period products, Mia’s sleepless night explores the confusion faced by millions of girls around the world on their menarche. It also commemorates women like the elderly Pauline (Mia’s foster grandma) who supports this important transition with empathy advice, support, medicine and period products.
Japan
Director Shunsuke Shinada gives periods a whole new personality, face and identity with this production. Big red lips on a blob-like creature stalks three young women every month. Adapted from manga artist Ken Koyama’s series, this film’s comedic take does more to help young men empathise with women during their periods and brings the topic to mass attention with its commercial release and appeal. Throughout the film, its titular character Little Miss Period is in the driving seat as young women navigate modern dilemmas like clueless partners, perceptions of impurity, cultural beliefs that prohibit women from using their lawful menstrual leave.
Germany
This self-funded final year short film project by Elsa van Damke takes a dig at modern dating and menstrual taboos. The main character Maggie finds herself on the perfect date until she heads to her date’s apartment bathroom and realises she has stained the wall with period blood. The next few minutes follow her hilarious mental breakdown as she tries to scrub out the bloodstain.
Story of a Young Bride - Gaokar
India
This film bravely tackles exclusion, isolation, child marriage, abuse and the depths of despair many girls face in India when they are menstruating. It follows the fictionalised experiences of a young bride in Gadchiroli district who is forced outside of her home to live in a hut called ‘Gaokar’ as she is considered impure during her period.
Hungary-Romania
Filmmaker Cristina Grosan in just 16 mins showcases a teenaged Amalia starting her period for the very first time while grappling with the reality of her family breaking apart from the seams and an impending holiday where she has to wear a swimsuit. Her mother is unable to see past her own wounds, to help her struggling daughter deal with this life transition.
Despite these brilliant finds listed here, it is still difficult for female filmmakers to find support, funding and opportunities to showcase their work around reproductive health. Click the button below to share artists who need their creative work featured on our blog.