It was overall a heartwarming doc. It was really nice and touching to see these women start to feel empowered. Empowered about their bodies and finding work. My main problem is that it wasn't as heavy hitting as I was hoping it to be. Maybe thats because its a short film and so it lacks the time to delve deeper. But as an instance there is a sad moment where the women say that are not allowed to go to temple when they're menstruating. And its something that never gets investigated into further. I think it would have been interesting to dive a bit more into the culture and stigma around the issue. Or a few times they ask men questions like "Do you know what a period is"...or they ask the men who are visiting the women making pads if they know what they are doing, to which the men shyly respond "Diapers". And the documentary never really pushes this narrative further. I felt like it could have been a tad more compelling if they pushed a bit further on why this topic is so taboo and why so theyre embarrassed to talk about it. I get that this is even a big start for them and this "revolution" if you will, is just starting. But I don't know, it was a bit light. I still think its overall an enjoyable doc to watch that also covers important subject matter that will tug at your heartstrings and make you proud to be a woman...but could have been a bit more.
29 Reviews
We've come a long way baby!
flolefty28 February 2019
What a beautifully shot and inspiring little film! It's only a half hour long - definitely worthy of a watch. Kudu's to the Academy for bringing it to our attention with an Oscar win.
Reading the negative comments posted about their acceptance speech was a bit of a heart breaker. Criticism for the fact that they weren't wearing sari's was a biggy; they really went for the jugular over the fact that they didn't acknowledge creator Mr. Arunachalam Muruganantham in the speech. Cut them some slack, it's tough up there.
Anyway, watch for yourself, I think you'll find he's well represented in the actual film.
We've come a long way baby, but we've still got a long way to go.
Reading the negative comments posted about their acceptance speech was a bit of a heart breaker. Criticism for the fact that they weren't wearing sari's was a biggy; they really went for the jugular over the fact that they didn't acknowledge creator Mr. Arunachalam Muruganantham in the speech. Cut them some slack, it's tough up there.
Anyway, watch for yourself, I think you'll find he's well represented in the actual film.
We've come a long way baby, but we've still got a long way to go.
Fascinating story
tomfleming24705 March 2019
The story was very interesting and something I was not aware of at all. One choice the filmmakers made I could not get past. Why did they choose to dub the subjects? Every time that happened it took me out of the story.
Anyone else bothered by that or just me?
Short film with a big message.
katesch-408969 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I don't understand the hate for this short documentary. Maybe those people have never been made to feel ashamed about a normal bodily function. Maybe they have something against women making a living. Maybe they have something against educating people on what struggles women go through in other countries simply for being a woman. Who can say? I think they missed the point. It's a very moving, frustrating and joyful piece about women taking charge of themselves and not being held back by lack of sanitary pads. Women are embarrassed to buy pads. They have to wear cloth that is ineffective and can even prevent them from getting an education due to the inability to change them when they become too soiled to wear. This is real life and I'm glad I watched this doc. It reminds me that yes, we have it great in the US, but the world needs to catch up and allow women to not be ashamed of themselves.
Charming!
auraleous20 February 2019
This short film is a delight! Having lived through many decades of tampon and every other form of feminine hygiene product in television and print adds, watching Indian women (and men) shyly discussing menstruation is somehow heartwarming. At its core is the serious subject of the empowerment of women that is treated with a gentle but firm hand. Go see it!
Enjoyable, Abbreviated View at a Stigma in Lesser-Developed Societies
unclesamsavage27 February 2019
While the selection of this film to win the Oscar for Best Documentary - Short Subject is certainly political, I still found it positive and proactive. I like that the movie was a grassroots project taken to publicize and solve a problem that women throughout the world are facing. It strikes me as earnest and uplifting. Laced with stories of people looking to better their position, the film seems catered to Americans. The quality of the documentary is not ground-breaking in any way but the intent feels pure.
Only wish it told more of the story
CarmaChan31 March 2019
This short documentary is so enlightening and such an important, wonderful way to reveal the struggles of women in poverty and in cultures where this subject is still so taboo they can't talk about it, that I really wish this was a full-length documentary. There is so much more to the story than this well done short reveals. Very well done! I am so glad it was honored with an Oscar, I would not have known about it, were it not for the Oscar ceremony, which I always watch, and then watch the nominees and winners that I haven't heard about before the show. Thank you!
Necessary To Educate
untoldsabotage2 March 2019
Wished it was longer to discuss more statistics. But films about menstruation poverty is always appreciated. We must shed light to this very upsetting issue. I also loved PadMan and Toilet: A Love Story. It's long overdue to start making strides to help impoverished women in our world.
Good elaboration on a taboo topic
Horst_In_Translation15 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
"Period. End of Sentence." is an American documentary short film from 2018 and as it is set entirely in India the language is Hindi here, so make sure you got a good set of subtitles if you don't speak it. Director is Iranian-American Rayka Zehtabchi, a fairly young filmmaker still, but not entirely inexperienced. But it is definitely her biggest success as this film nagaed to score an Oscar nomination and while it may not be the frontrunner I don't think it is without a chance to win the awards. We will see. Documentary Short is wide open almost every year. And I can see the subject end up appealing to the Academy. This is about girls and young women in India and the subject of menstruation. You could say men have no idea what is meant when the hear the word "period". Females know, but are too shy to speak about it. Sure, to some extent the reason may be similar to what it is here in the western world that it is simply a very delicate and personal subject, but there are other reasons too. People who complain about lack of emancipation and equality for women here in the industrial countries should take a look at the likes of India because that is where it is really a problem and they should stop whining about how things are here. Anyway, this documentary runs for slightly over 25 minutes and I think it was a good and insightful watch overall and without a doubt, this is an important subject. It was kinda nice to see the girls talk so openly about the issue at the very end whil laughing and smiling. This is how it could be. This is how it should be. By the way, to be more precise, the focus here is on hygiena and how they get the sanitay equipment they (in India) need during that time of the month. This is the 5th and final Oscar-nominated documentary short film from 2019 I have watched and I would say it is number 2 or 3 in my ranking. The two really bad ones are Lifeboat and especially Black Sheep, the other three (including this one) are tolerable, but not really great. But one of this trio should take the trophy in my opinion. None of them would be entirely undeserving. So this one here (even if the title is not good, a play on words as a bad as the school period mentioned by a guy when asked about what period means) gets a thumbs-up and positive recommendation from me. Go see it.
What an uplifting and inspiring film.
eminkl26 October 2019
What an uplifting and inspiring film. It shows how little (the effort needed to buy the women's machine) goes so far for them, not at all challenging the Oakland school's effort... I hold them in very high regard for having a plan to improve the lives of others around the world and achieve it through sales of bicycles, kickstarters and yogathons. How imaginative it was. Today it not only makes the group more hygienic, it helps to provide some autonomy and increased self-worth for women (in a highly patriarchal society). I highly recommend taking 26min and watching this ... Children and teenagers in particular want to show them how much influence they have to improve.
Keep It Up
theforager9 July 2020
This documentary highlights the efforts women in a village to spread awareness about periods and use of sanitary pads instead of other in-hygiene traditional methods. They even are manufacturing local sanitary pads and trying to promote their own brand. Overall efforts of women are commendable.
There seems feminist agenda that you can easily see in between lines. This was totally unnecessary and does not fit in the scope of this documentary.
There seems feminist agenda that you can easily see in between lines. This was totally unnecessary and does not fit in the scope of this documentary.
Must-watch documentary
sharmarashee27 February 2019
Girls, women, ladies, boys, men, gentlemen, people, please watch it. Show it to your family members. Recommend this movie to whosoever has not watched it yet. If you cannot show them the movie due to the taboo it has been in your surroundings, just tell them that this indian movie has won Oscar and ask them to watch it and share their reviews with you.
This movie must be watched.
Documentary is not bad , but i didn't feel like it has an impact to receive the Oscars
shabin-sajan7 March 2019
As a documentary it lacks clarity but it's good and unique for those people who doesn't aware of the rural areas in India. I have seen better documentaries than this but those doesn't have the reach as this has. Any how can't blame any one for the reach and marketing stuffs. Kudos the team behind this and congrats for the Oscars.
The crew behind this movie should have acknowledged Arunachalam Muruganantham in their speech as he is man behind the low cost sanitary pad machine and our one and only "PADMAN" .
The crew behind this movie should have acknowledged Arunachalam Muruganantham in their speech as he is man behind the low cost sanitary pad machine and our one and only "PADMAN" .
Not a good film
betsthom26 February 2019
I saw this on Netflix after the Oscars and I was shocked that this film was given an Oscar. This is one of the worst documentaries I have seen. This film lacks narrative, strong story or characters. The film also lacks any technical quality or directorial brilliance. The film looks like a promotional film made on the fly by inexperienced film debutants. I wonder how this film got past the first round selection of Oscar.
monthly importance
lee_eisenberg17 May 2020
When Rayka Zehtabchi won an Oscar for "Period. End of Sentence.", she proclaimed that a period should end a sentence, not an education. Her documentary focuses on the use of sanitary pads in India during women's menstrual cycles, and also the efforts to end the stigma around the topic.
I remember reading about how, when Lucille Ball was pregnant, the network told her that she wasn't allowed to say pregnant on TV. The fact that it's now acceptable to talk about menstruation on the Academy Awards shows how far our society has advanced. Of course, we still have a ways to go. In the meantime, definitely check out this documentary.
I remember reading about how, when Lucille Ball was pregnant, the network told her that she wasn't allowed to say pregnant on TV. The fact that it's now acceptable to talk about menstruation on the Academy Awards shows how far our society has advanced. Of course, we still have a ways to go. In the meantime, definitely check out this documentary.
Inspiring in so many ways!
shivamsaboo5 April 2019
Important
kosmasp31 July 2019
There are things that we do not like to talk about. Imagine how those truly affected feel about it. Mostly not allowed to talk about it or rather being ridiculed if they do. Or stigmatized as the title suggests. Even though we are talking about something that is perfectly normal.
Now apart from talking about "it", there are even more pressing matters. That cannot be adressed or even found out by those in the need. How do they know what to do, if no one is telling them? Hygiene is important, self love and care even more so. This may play in an underdeveloped country, but the problems can be relevant to others too. Hopefully the documentary will become obsolete one day and will be seen as a relic - if so, it would actually have achieved what it set out to do
Now apart from talking about "it", there are even more pressing matters. That cannot be adressed or even found out by those in the need. How do they know what to do, if no one is telling them? Hygiene is important, self love and care even more so. This may play in an underdeveloped country, but the problems can be relevant to others too. Hopefully the documentary will become obsolete one day and will be seen as a relic - if so, it would actually have achieved what it set out to do
Beautiful and inspriring
aghope9830 September 2019
As someone who was born in India and then adopted in the US, I found this short film very beautiful and inspiring. It is wonderful to see my culture and heritage on film; I loved how strong and empowered these women were on an issue seen as taboo in their country. These girls and women were dropping out of school because they didn't have the necessary supplies to help with their menstruation. I think that it is amazing that this pad machine was created, and that women are branding their own pads and making a difference within their community.
As a woman myself, I believe that this short film needs to be shown everywhere. It is a moving documentary about the power of change and hard work.
As a woman myself, I believe that this short film needs to be shown everywhere. It is a moving documentary about the power of change and hard work.
Important and Educational
menstrualcup17 May 2020
no matter anywhere, girls always stands up for they right.
mohaddesebayramiy19 December 2023
This is so good to see there is development in this village or india, that was too sad to see in this sence yet girls even can't use pads! While i was whatching, i was soooo happy to to see them they are leveling up and working hard to get they freedom. Everywoman deserve that. I mean everyperson even.
Thats good to see men's support and even aknowelge about period period is not something to shame.
It's part of our body nature, we should not hide anything about that. Its already hard when you get perod, even you should hide that too? Thats stupid and nonsense.
Hope for more and more development and women's.
Thats good to see men's support and even aknowelge about period period is not something to shame.
It's part of our body nature, we should not hide anything about that. Its already hard when you get perod, even you should hide that too? Thats stupid and nonsense.
Hope for more and more development and women's.
Oscar for this; Why?
hariharanphilo27 February 2019
I wonder who are the people who nominated this film and then voted to give an Oscar. Shame on the academy for lowering the standard of film making.This film is nothing more than a badly made promotional film put together in few days. Calling this a documentary and then giving an Oscar is an insult to all documentary film makers.I want to know from the people who voted for this film, what were the special elements of film making that they found in this film that deserved an Oscar? This award gives out the message that you can get an Oscar even if you make a very bad film like this one as long as you know the right people in the right place.
Progress
Erik_Stone3 October 2021
Oscar's nominated film? Haha....
MentalReactor23 February 2019
What shall I begin with... It's not even a film but a lazy commercial project or home video which is badly put together. Interviews feel fake, many things feels like been staged. Production of this "film" shouldn't take longer than one day. You can challange me to make a similar film, one day for filming, one for editing. Sad.
Toilet and sanitary products theme is important, people need to talk more freely about this topic also it is interesting and open for discussion and people should make movies about it. However, it's not an excuse to make bad ones.
I lost all hope for quality content in future, is this nominated for Oscar? I hope this is a joke... Or Oscar's is just one big joke..
Toilet and sanitary products theme is important, people need to talk more freely about this topic also it is interesting and open for discussion and people should make movies about it. However, it's not an excuse to make bad ones.
I lost all hope for quality content in future, is this nominated for Oscar? I hope this is a joke... Or Oscar's is just one big joke..
Very disappointing film
kumarajith-1391426 February 2019
This film does not deserve an Oscar and for that matter any awards. There were many other films in this category that truly deserved the Oscar. By giving an Oscar to a film which looks and feels like it is made by very inexperienced film makers, the Academy has reduced its credibility to an all time low. This a film is so badly made on a subject that could have been made into a very powerful film in the hand of a good film maker. The film maker who made this film seems to have no idea how to engage an audience and tell the story effectively. Technically the film lacks professionalism. Overall a very bad film and I struggled to watch it till the end. I have serious doubt that any of the people who voted to give this film an Oscar has actually watched the film.
Very Ameteur Film
maattshort27 February 2019
I am shocked that this film was given an Oscar. This film is very amateurish in its direction, editing and photography. The film obviously is done by people who have no idea on how to make an impactful or creative documentary. It makes me angry that Oscar which is supposed to be given to films that are creatively and technically brilliant is given to this film which is worse than any 1st semester student project. Each year Oscar is becoming a Joke and an insult to all serious film makers.
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