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The film is directed by American-Iranian filmmaker Raykar Zehtabchi and producer Guneet Monga is one of the key figures in this daring film about the stigma of menstruation. This 26-minute film features girls and women from Hapur, in Uttar Pradesh, and their experience of installing a tampon machine in their village. "I do not cry because I have my period or whatever. I can not believe that a movie about menstruation has won an Oscar, "said Zehtabchi in his thank you speech. BT spoke to Guneet Monga about the victory. Excerpts from the interview …
The Oscar win for the documentary "Period. End of the sentence. What was this moment like when your movie was announced winner?
It was overwhelming. I could not stop crying and shivering for 30 minutes. My whole Indian team is here with me. Sneha, one of the main speakers in the film, was with me when we were declared winners. Mandakini Kakar, my partner who became the voice of the film, has worked extensively in the field with the team. We screamed so loudly that I finally tweeted to AR Rahman to apologize if we were too loud because he was sitting right in front of us. This film was collected by schoolgirls from Los Angeles and was created to support the conversation about the rules and hygiene. It is very difficult to produce such a film because it requires a lot of strength, reflection, conviction and determination. I am extremely happy for Sneha. She wanted to return her family, especially her father, proud of her, by becoming a police officer from the Delhi Police Department. She said, "Mujhe to lagta hai maine aaj hi wo kaam kar diya." I only wish today that his dream of becoming a policeman comes true very quickly. She is extremely hardworking.
In recent years, the world has begun to talk about women's issues and become aware of what they have to say. Your victory also seems to be perfectly synchronized.
Yeah, that's the best time to do it, especially from India's point of view. Now, women clearly explain what they mean and are heard. Of course, women say that from the beginning. I like the subject of this documentary. We talk about menstrual hygiene for a very long time. The rules are not new. Gauri Chaudhary, director of Action India, said, when we were on stage, that the men would talk about it now. We can not do it alone. He needs the contribution of all. Victory is relevant today because we put the women's fight on the map, we try to break the glbad ceiling. Women are the most important for too long. Their voices have often been repressed. This Oscar win will help us make a difference in this regard.
How did you develop this project and how long did you take?
Gauri Chaudhary has been working to educate people about menstrual hygiene for about 40 years, but this film was born out of Melissa Berton's effort. She is from Oakwood School in LA. The project started seven years ago, while she was trying to donate a stamp making machine for which she made contact with Action India. Little by little, she realized that making a film could help the conversation reach more women and men. It took the entire team three to four years to launch a campaign, pool funds, put the logistics in order and break the documentary.
Arunachalam Muruganantham, part of your documentary, also inspired "PadMan" with Akshay Kumar. Was it a deterrent at one point, because both films were talking about the same problem in different formats?
Not at all, in fact, we could make 100 extra films around this subject. "PadMan" has just normalized the conversation on menstrual hygiene. More movies will mean more conversations and that will help a lot. Our film is about women – telling their stories and those of other women and struggling with this taboo. This makes the story powerful. There were women working on our project, on camera and elsewhere. If you see the movie, you'll realize that Hapur's women feel so liberated now, and the movie won hearts because of that. He has the point of view of women at the grbadroots, women who have come out of their shell and started to change things around them. Our previous generations have fought so many other taboos. we must fight the taboo around menstruation. Periods can not prevent girls from continuing their education or other work. Unfortunately, there are so many schools where there are no adequate toilets because of which the girls slowly cease to enter and then give up altogether. We also have to stop joking and comment on the rules. "Why is she doing PMSing?" The rules are as normal as any other body function. People need to get it once and for all.
You have not been badociated with a traditional Hindi movie for a while. Do you think this decision paid off?
I've been challenged and questioned for all my choices up until now. I have also been told that all that I have accomplished is by chance. This may not happen again. The trip was not easy for me so I'm happy to have gone that far. This victory is as relevant as possible.
India has always yearned for an Oscar. You went into your film independently and you went through it. What do you think are the benefits of your movie?
I have said how much our Oscar nomination system is flawed several times. It must change. You have to send movies to festivals. Period. End of Sentence has been screened in numerous festivals, competitions and has been awarded at eight festivals. This has built credibility. You can not get up one morning and decide to start your Oscar campaign. You can not send a movie just because a lot of people like it. It's a year-long exercise. You have to weigh the film on its strengths and on the credibility it's built. It is important to find the right machines so that your movie is noticed in the right places. You have to choose a movie that has legs to walk in America. The film found overwhelming support once it was made available to everyone. The team, the story, the women in the film, all this played in his favor.
Indian filmmakers and filmmakers have always had the desire to win an Oscar, but none of our official films have won this honor. Today, a film that has not been officially supported by India has managed to do exactly that. How do you think people will perceive this?
At the time, I had written to so many people who wanted to show them the film, including the Prime Minister's Office. But it's past. We make simple movies and take them where they will be appreciated. Today, we hope that India adheres to this film and we can show it in colleges and schools. We want to involve the Ministries of Education and Health and disseminate this documentary to as many young people as possible.
Does the Oscar win put you under pressure for your future projects?
Not at all, you come every morning and you stick to it. Who thinks of the rest? We undertook to make this film with integrity and pbadion. It's a fantastic collaboration with so many people. Stacey Sher and Lisa Taback have learned what it takes to make a movie. They and many others supported us to put India on the map. The academy has recognized this effort and the fact that time is so important for this film.
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