In a rural village in India, a group of women band together to install and operate a sanitary pad-making machine, a rarity in a nation where even the topic of menstruation is considered taboo. The goal, at least partly, is to crush the stigma of menstruation and to offer the women, as well, newfound independence. 

Directed by Rayka Zehtabchi, Period. End of Sentence., is an incredibly well done, enlightening and surprisingly moving short film set in a world that seems almost unimaginable here in the United States - a world where many women wouldn't dare even discuss menstruation let alone actually use sanitary products, while many men also can't begin to explain the basics around menstruation

Period. End of Sentence. takes us through the initiating and planning of this new business venture, an unsuspecting room tucked away in the Northern India village of Kathikhera where the materials to construct the business are hidden away. The project will start what is ultimately a pad revolution, an effort to improve feminine hygiene where contemporary and tradition often butt heads. 

It only takes a few minutes into the film to feel like we've been transported into an extraordinarily different yet beautiful world. As Americans, we've become so accustomed to what we'd consider to be basic information and necessities that it's difficult to fathom the awkward conversations and embarrassed faces as these young men and women sit in rooms having discussions that many of them have likely never had before. 

Period. End of Sentence. picked up the top prize for Best Doc Short at the Cleveland International Film Festival and is a finalist here at Indy Shorts in Indianapolis. The film is screening twice during the festival as part of the Finalist Shorts 2 Collection:

• Friday, July 27th at 4:30pm inside The Toby at Newfields
• Saturday, July 28th at 3:45pm also inside The Toby

For more information on the film, be sure to visit the official website linked to in the credits. For information on Indy Shorts, visit the Indy Shorts website. 

© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic