For decades in America, society has seen menstruation as a taboo discussion. From period products to sales taxes on female hygiene products, this feminism movement is slowly changing politics and culture, as shown in the documentary Periodical which made its premiere at the SXSW 2023.

From director Lina Lyte Plioplyte, she looks into the history of the feminist movement, current issues, and the players involved in changing the landscape.

Here is the full synopsis:

In our era of social media-empowered feminism, after centuries of societal-enforced stigma, menstruation has begun to bleed out into the mainstream. We’re finally using red liquid instead of blue in period product ads, seeing beauty influencers use their period blood for facials on social media, and even the most daring period scenes are being depicted on TV—but we still know alarmingly little when it comes to menstruation. And we still have even further to go in the battle to acknowledge and accept periods for exactly what they are: Bloody. Beauty. Normal.

Periodical, a new feature documentary from XTR and MSNBC Films, tells the unexpected story of the human body by exploring the marvel and mystery of the menstrual cycle, from first period to last. But this is not your middle school sex-ed class. Bringing you stories from soccer champion Megan Rapinoe who reveals how the U.S. Soccer team tracks their cycles when training for the Women’s World Cup (which they won), to scientists who are discovering the power and possibilities of stem cells found in period blood, to young activists flipping the bill on period tax one state at a time, we uncover the shocking truths, challenge taboos, and celebrate the untapped potential of this special nutrient-dense blood.

Through innovative mixed media storytelling, Periodical is for everyone who wants to know more about the menstrual cycle, and especially for those who don’t.

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LRM Online’s Gig Patta spoke with director Lina Lyte Plioplyte, executive producer Amanda Spain, and subjects/student activists Madeleine Morales and Anusha Singh about their involvement, the narrative, and the movement to remove the sales tax on feminine hygiene products.

Periodical made its premiere at the SXSW 2023.

Watch the exclusive interview with Lina Lyte Plioplyte, Amanda Spain, Madeleine Morales, and Anusha Sing below. Let us know what you think of the interview.

For news and interviews, contact Gig Patta at [email protected]. Follow https://Post.news.gigpatta for all his postings and musings in entertainment.

Source: LRM Online Exclusive, SXSW 2023