“Period. End of Sentence.” (2018) by Rayka Zehtabchi

In rural India, where the stigma of menstruation persists, women make low-cost sanitary pads on a new machine and stride toward financial independence.

After last week’s fiction film about family and grieving, here is another film by the same team – director Rayka Zehtabchi and co-producer Sam Davis. This film travels to a village near New Delhi and addresses the issue of menstruation. The film won an Oscar for Best Documentary Short Subject.

In less than 30 minutes, the film manages to establish the characters and their reality, explain their struggles, go on a journey of discovery with them and see the impact of that journey. This journey is striking because it is very personal and uncomfortable. Just the mention of periods arouses giggling, embarrassment and visible shame in women of all ages. These candid reactions, along with a choppy yet efficient edit, are able to grab and keep the viewer’s attention.

The film’s core revolves around women’s capabilities and aspirations. It proves how, if given the opportunity, women can work hard, be professional and live a life of dignity. Though there is still a long way to go, this film gives us hope that change is possible.