Is there a more apt time to write a review of a documentary about menstruation than while experiencing it? Despite being confined to bed on the second day of my period and relying on strong ketoprofen pills, I decided to use this state to share my thoughts on Periodical (2023), directed by Lina Lyte Plioplyte.

Childhood Transition: The Start of a Menstrual Journey

The film commences with medium close-ups of both young girls and older women, who gaze directly into the camera, attempting to articulate their personal experiences with menstruation. This reminded me of my 12-year-old self, suddenly overwhelmed by abdominal pain at school. Mistaking it for severe food poisoning, I rushed home, only to discover the undeniable sign of puberty: my first period.

At that moment, my childhood seemed to end abruptly, replaced by an overwhelming sense of becoming a woman. My mother’s cautionary words about pregnancy loomed large, a daunting prospect for a girl who had never ventured into romantic relationships.

Resilience Amidst Pain: Navigating Menstrual Challenges

My menstrual journey has been fraught with challenges, from extremely heavy flows to painful experiences that once led to hospitalization. Despite this, I never allowed my periods to interfere with school or work commitments. Today, even after completing an 8-hour shift without a toilet break, I reflect on this resilience, spurred by Plioplyte’s documentary, which dares to confront the taboo surrounding menstruation.

In 2023, it’s shocking how menstruation is still shrouded in secrecy, and treated as an embarrassing ailment. This societal attitude forces me to hide my tampons, and endure pain in silence, as my employer remains indifferent to my needs.

Breaking the Silence: Confronting Menstrual Taboos

The pervasive social stigma surrounding menstruation remains alarmingly resilient. Popular culture seldom portrays period blood, reflecting a broader reluctance to acknowledge menstrual realities. Moreover, securing healthcare for menstrual-related complications is often an arduous journey. Conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome are frequently disregarded, leading many individuals to endure their pain in silence.

Additionally, there exists another layer of menstrual inequity, often referred to as period poverty. To this day, numerous individuals who menstruate are unable to afford essential sanitary products. In several states across the United States, the taxation of menstrual products (known as tampon or period tax) is still a prevalent practice, exacerbating this issue. Within this context, the emergence of Periodical as a film that highlights these problems becomes a crucial intervention, shedding light on these often-ignored aspects of menstrual health and injustice.

Periodical: A Multifaceted Documentary Journey

Plioplyte’s artistic endeavour presents a compelling, multi-faceted exploration of menstruation, skilfully blending humour, insight, and vibrancy. This multimedia work delves deeply into various aspects of menstruation, encompassing medical, sociological, historical, and scientific perspectives. At its heart, the narrative follows the passionate journey of young activists who are fervently campaigning for menstrual equity, alongside their relentless efforts to overturn the tax on menstrual products.

Their campaign is skillfully interwoven with insightful interviews, featuring an array of distinguished individuals, including medical professionals, athletes, celebrities, and scholars. Among these notable figures are Naomi Watts and Gloria Steinem, each contributing their unique and profound perspectives on menstruation.

The documentary goes beyond mere storytelling to address critical issues that are often sidelined in mainstream discourse. It sheds light on the educational gaps surrounding menstrual health and brings to the forefront the traditionally overlooked knowledge and experiences of Native American and African American women. Furthermore, it boldly tackles the complexities and challenges of menopause, a topic frequently shrouded in taboo and misunderstanding.

In its entirety, Plioplyte’s work stands as a testament to the power of artistic expression in catalyzing social change and elevating crucial conversations about women’s health and rights. It is a sophisticated, coherent, and impactful piece that not only entertains but also educates and inspires its audience towards greater understanding and advocacy.

Media Mosaic: The Documentary’s Artistic Approach

In an era where digital media reigns supreme, the documentary in question masterfully interlaces a plethora of media forms. It encompasses archival footage, insightful interviews, captivating social media clips, and vibrant animation. This eclectic mix not only serves to educate but also thoroughly engages the audience, drawing them into a rich tapestry of visual storytelling.

Despite its notable achievements, the documentary grapples with a significant challenge: the ambitious endeavour to encapsulate a vast array of topics within the constrained timeframe of 95 minutes. This ambitious scope, while commendable, inadvertently leaves the viewer with a sense of incompleteness. One can’t help but feel that a more expansive approach, such as a mini-series format, would have been ideally suited to this project. Such a format, particularly if hosted on a widely accessible platform like Netflix, would allow for a deeper exploration of themes, providing the audience with a more comprehensive understanding and greater immersion in the subject matter.

While the documentary stands out for its innovative use of mixed media to educate and captivate, its extensive scope paired with the limited duration slightly detracts from its potential impact. A mini-series adaptation could offer a more thorough and satisfying exploration of its rich and diverse content.

Beyond the Screen: The Impact and Legacy of Periodical

Periodical, though it may not ascend to the heights of cinematic mastery, represents a pivotal stride in our journey towards a world that more empathetically and comprehensively acknowledges the female menstrual cycle. This film serves as a clarion call for a broader societal evolution, one that earnestly recognizes and honours the natural physiological processes of the female body. It stands as a beacon of change, challenging entrenched perceptions and advocating for a more inclusive and understanding society where the menstrual cycle is not just acknowledged, but respected as a fundamental aspect of female health and wellbeing.

This cinematic endeavour, while perhaps not a masterpiece in the traditional sense, is revolutionary in its message and impact, signalling a shift in societal attitudes towards a more enlightened and respectful understanding of the female experience.