Oscars 2019: India-Set Period. End Of Sentence Makes History, Wins Best Documentary Short Subject
There’s nothing like the Oscar fever among artists worldwide. The 91st Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars was held on 24th February, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. These awards are presented on the basis of the best of technical and artistic merit and are annually given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
But, this year was special, it was special for our country, India, as we witnessed a documentary set in India, Period. End Of Sentence win in the category: Documentary Short For Oscars. The win marked a historical feat for all of us back home. Undoubtedly, the global recognition was indeed special but what was more touching was the subject of the short documentary. A documentary based on menstruation — a topic considered a taboo,in not just India but in most parts of the country— won the oscars!
This documentary was directed by Rayka Zehtabchi and was produced by an Indian, Guneet Monga, whose production house stands by the name Sikhya Entertainment. Guneet took to Twitter and expressed how overwhelmed she was with happiness. She celebrated with the world. She tweeted, “WE WON!!! To every girl on this earth… know that you are a goddess… if heavens are listening… look MA we put @sikhya on the map.”
While accepting the prestigious award, Rayka, the 25-year old director,said that she just couldn’t believe that her film, which is based on menstruation, just won an Oscar. She was dumfounded and definitely elated. Even in such a victorious moment, the witty director took the opportunity to say that the tears weren’t flowing down her cheeks because she was on her period, but simply because she was overwhelmed.
While giving her acceptance speech she looked at Guneet Monga and said that she (Monga) has been on a mission to empower women worldwide and fight the stigma around the topic of menstruation. She further explained how she has been fighting for menstrual equality. Her generous self went to dedicate the Academy Award to her school, and said that this project was an outcome of her students (both in India as well as in LA) who always wanted to make a difference with regard to human rights.
She concluded the acceptance speech by saying that the Academy Award that she was holding wasn’t just hers and extended the award to all the members of the Feminist Majority Foundation, her entire cast, and team. She said that she is sharing this award with all the teachers and students around the world. Her speech ended with the line — “A period should end a sentence, not a girl’s education.”
More About The Documentary Film
If you watch the documentary which isn’t just about 26 minutes long, you’ll not find anything that’s extraordinary. It has been carefully shot by keeping in mind the actual rural life of India. The team has worked hard to help the viewers get a first hand perspective of the rural life and the stigma attached to the topic of menstruation in backward areas.
The documentary is set in a small village called Hapur on the outskirts of Delhi. In this village, women aren’t even aware of the word “Pad”. They shy away or wear a serious look on their faces when asked about their menstrual problems. The film shows women discussing the problems they face while using mere patch cotton clothes as pads and changing them out in open. The film paints an honest picture of the poor living conditions that leads to lack of toilets and the discomfort in procuring pads from stores (which cost them a fortune.
In the documentary, you’ll see the real ‘Pad Man,’ Arunachalam Muruganathan talk about how in India only 8 percent of the women follow proper menstrual hygiene by making use of the sanitary pads. The film shows how women learn to take care of themselves and their menstrual hygiene after the installation of a vending machine that vends the pads made in their village. They learn to manufacture the sanitary pads, market, and sell them on their own. They name the brand of these pads as ‘FLY.’
Rayka Zehtabchi is an award-winning Iranian-American and this short documentary film is created by ‘The Pad Project’ which is an organization that was established by a group of students at Oakwood School in LA along with their teacher, Melissa Berton.
We watched the documentary and loved how it sheds light on the taboo topic of our country, and that too, so effortlessly. Things definitely are changing in the rural world when it comes to menstrual education. But the slow pace that it’s currently running on will take forever for a mega transformation. It’s up to us now.
We, too, can educate the rural people around us and teach them about the right, healthy practices of menstrual hygiene. We’re on it. How about you? Let us know about your answers in the comments below.
