He has got his period! New film shows an alternate reality
The complexities of menstruation and menstrual hygiene portrayed through men? As surprising as it sounds, this is the concept behind filmmaker Mozez Singh’s latest venture, titled First Period. Approached by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the NGO Dasra, Mozez was asked to create a short film to raise awareness about menstruation.
The film was launched by writer-producer Twinkle Khanna — she’s the director’s friend and is promoting the film to widen its reach. First Period was promoted on Twinkle’s social media accounts, and it was released on YouTube on this World Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28).
Mozez, who earlier directed Zubaan (2015), says, “The only brief given to me was that [the foundation] wanted men to be a part of the film. I sat down with my writer, Ishani Banerjee, an nd we brainstormed the idea behind First Period, a wor rld where only men exist and everything is seemingly perfect. We created a story y about men that’s not actually about men at all.” ”
In this alternate reality, y, where only men exist and live in a Utopian society, the he real message is sent out loud and clear as the plot unfolds. “Dasra has really pushed the film to reach the demographic it has been made for. And we’re also working on introducing it to schools and holding special screenings for them,” says Mozez. “A lot research went into making this film. I’ve received so much love – the film has deeply resonated with everyone. I’m glad to have participated in this initiative. Especially at a time when women’s empowerment is so relevant, this film is part of that larger conversation. I hope to work on more such projects,” he says.