In a parallel universe where men and young boys menstruated, would we change the manner in which we look at it? Would period blood still be associated with impurity, dirt and something to be avoided? Or would we simply pat on the back on a young boy, bleeding for the first time, telling him it's a normal, biological process and we should let nature take its course? The short film raises the same questions by delineating a world where when little boys bleed, grown men tell them it's alright. It also draws attention to several concerns pertaining to menstruation that include sanitary waste disposal, its impact on the environment and the role of teachers in easing the experience for school children. Above all, it reminds the viewer, that in a country where over 80 percent women use potentially unsafe and unhygienic alternatives for sanitary pads, it truly is time to end the stigma around menstruation.

First Period | Short Film of the Day

The film attempts an interesting weaving of its narrative with humour and drama. As a local goon goes around physically assaulting young couples on Valentine’s Day, his character is conjured with a skill visible in both the performance as well as the writing. His interactions with the unsuspecting couples around him are also prepared with a detailing that is evident for the viewer. As another young couple unwittingly finds their way to the right-wing extremist politician, the story takes a potentially intriguing turn. Love interests come to overlap, soon followed by an imminent threat of violence. While the story in itself is picked from a truth commonly occurring in the Indian society, it does attempt a unique manner in building on it, thereby making its storytelling, along with the performances, its strongest suit, as compared to editing and the tightness of the plot.

Bellandtime | Short Film Nominee

Menstruation is a perfectly normal, biological process, and yet, there is no end to the stigma and taboo that surround it. The short film does its bit to further the dialogue around the same issue. The scene is of an office during a high-stakes situation when a group of professionals are trying to meet a tough deadline. When in the middle of it, one of the only two women in the group gets her period, an uncomfortable, but important conversation ensues. At the end of it await important lessons and takeaways both for the group as well as the viewer.

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