All over the world women and girls get their period. It’s been this way for thousands and thousands of years. Yet, there’s still a taboo surrounding menstruation. That has to change. Dutch screenwriter and director Catherina Iosifidis (1997) thinks so too. This is why she made the very short movie PERIOD. Iosifidis graduated from the St. Joost School of Art & Design in Breda (the Netherlands) in 2019 with her coming-of-age film Ster. She also made the short films Buitenspel (Offside) and Amy & May, a campaign film for aid workers, and various video clips. Lots of different creations. But if you zoom in on her work a bit, you’ll see that the living environment of young people and their problems is her leitmotif.
Adolescents struggling with menstruation is a theme that fits seamlessly into this list. That’s why on her own initiative, Iosifidis came up with the short film PERIOD, which depicts recognisable situations around the theme of menstrual shame. You know, like dealing with period leaks in your grey gym shorts during gym class. Not having access to menstrual products and being afraid to ask for them. Struggling with menstrual pain all by yourself and alone. The movie also zooms in on how girls/women/menstruators overcome this taboo. This is often easier than it may seem. Start by no longer passing menstrual products to each other in private, but simply do this in public. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. So talk about it. Period.
The more viewers the film attracts, the better. So feel free to share!
PERIOD was created with support from the Next Talent Program, an initiative of Playgrounds. The Next Talent Program was developed by Playgrounds i.c.w. BROET, Natlab, Submarine Channel, The Panics, Herrie Film&TV, Breda Photo, St.Joost School of Art and Design, Ka-boom animation festival, Province of Noord-Brabant, the Netherlands Filmfund, Kunstloc and Netflix. Thumbs up for the young actors: Isis Caljé, Fleur Treuren, Nyah Uhlenbeek, Julie Heesterbeek, Silke Ensel and Evi Gerards.
PERIOD is super suitable for those who want to put the subject of menstrual shame on the map. For example at school or when you organise an event. For more information and contact details of the maker, visit catherinaiosifidis.com. If you want to watch the movie, click here. The more viewers the film gets, the better, so feel free to like and share!
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Period! is an independent, online magazine about all aspects of menstruation. Period! is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you’re suffering from medical complaints, always visit your doctor or GP. Editorial articles can contain affiliate links. Sponsored collaborations can be found in the category Spotlight. Do you have any questions? Check our Contact page.
