WOMENSTRUATE
Directed by Lauren Anders Brown
Running Time: 52 minutes
Production status: Post-production
Funding: 25% funded through in-kind support and flight costs by UNFPA ESARO.
Synopsis: A documentary featuring five women of different generations across Africa discussing their experiences of their menstrual cycle throughout the cycle of life.
The film opens with Sunday, a teenager in South Sudan who is barely a woman has to prepare for what is to come - menstruation and the probability of child marriage. In Eswatini, a woman just wants to be like everyone else - bleeding normally every month. But for someone with HIV that is not the reality. Vitoria's accounts of how while experiencing her monthly cycle she survived Cyclone Idai in Mozambique. Bernice faces challenges of choosing food or menstrual supplies while on the streets in South Africa. In Zimbabwe, Christina a former convict discusses her life behind bars while bleeding. And finally, we hear from Dr. Lineo how post-menstrual women are affected by menopause in Africa- and the ending has quite a twist.
This documentary is unique in that it has a holistic approach- it will be filmed in 4-7 days, the average time a women menstruates every month and with an all female crew. On any given day 800 million women are menstruating, and through normalising menstruation by making it visible through filmmaking that it can be addressed as a natural part of life by both men and women worldwide.
CROWDFUNDING: You will see to the right different donation options to help finish this film. The film was made possible through in-kind support from UNFPA, and the director's own time. It needs funding to pay for an original composition score and sound design. Please consider donating he amount suggested directly to the director through paypal and you will be contacted about the corresponding incentive.
HOW MUCH HAS BEEN DONATED?
A contribution equivalent to the average monthly cost a woman would spend who has a light flow would spend on menstrual supplies. She probably only has to buy one pack of thin pads or tampons, but she can still experience the emotional changes at this time that could increase purchases of chocolate, candy, chips, magazines or movie purchases.*
For your contribution you'll receive monthly (get it) updates on the progress of Womenstruate.
*Chocolate, candy, chips, magazines and movies not included. Although if you'd like to a preview screener of Womenstruate I would suggest the 'Heavy Flow' option.
LIGHT FLOW
The charity Bloody Good Period provides menstrual supplies to food banks, asylum centers and “those who can’t afford them.” They estimate that the average lifetime cost of having a period is about $6,000. Assuming the average woman has 450 periods in a lifetime, that works out at about $160 a year, or just over $14 a period. For those of us who have irregular periods, we need to also take into account the cost for damaging or even destroying a pair of underwear when we least expect it and so I've rounded up this contribution to account for those monthly un-expectations in the fight against period poverty.
Your contribution will let you choose a digital download unique film poster from the country of your choice: Mozambique, South Sudan, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Lesotho or South Africa.
MEDIUM FLOW
A woman will throw away 250-300 pounds of period products in her lifetime. It is possible to avoid this with sustainable products like menstrual cups, resuable pads or underwear. They require more of an investment as they can be more costly but for those with heavier flows they are life-savers and savers of the environment. Your investment in this documentary will be equal to that of the cost of a menstrual cup (that lasts 10 years) or reusable underwear made for menstruation.
Plus, you'll also receive a private screener of Womenstruate to watch before it premieres.
HEAVY FLOW
More than monthly menstrual supplies, your contribution will see your name in the credits under 'Special Thanks' so audiences will recognise your role in making this film a reality.
LET THE CREDITS ROLL
What I can believe is more films about menstruation need to be made in order to fully normalise it, winning the Oscar was not the 'end of the sentence' but just the beginning. More women need to be seen talking about menstruation, and your key contribution will make that possible. As a financier, you'll be able to see your name stand out in the credits as one of the supporters at the beginning and end of the film. You'll also receive all the other incentives-a digital production still and a private screener for the film. And as a financier, if you are in London you'll be able to attend the world premiere of 'Womenstruate' at an influential film festival (Details disclosed privately to financiers).
FEATURED FINANCIER
ANONYMOUS SYRIA
Directed by Ali Al Ibrahim and Lauren Anders Brown
Production status: 30% principal photography completed
Estimated completion for principal photography: December 2019
Funding: Initial production funding costs split between the directors.
Synopsis: In a conflict that has lasted over a decade, displaced Syrians have been forced to move on and start again. Yet when a country shuts down, so too do the official touchstones that make us human. This feature documentary will explore the lives of Syria’s ‘living ghosts’ - undocumented citizens who have survived the war with no proof that they are alive, married, educated or even dead.
