Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
Period. End of Sentence
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Indian women fight stigma of menstruation in short docu.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Period. End of Sentence
Community Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
It's really mature
Report this review
What's the Story?
PERIOD. END OF SENTENCE exposes the plight of rural Indian women who are shunned from their temples and prevented from carrying on normal lives during their monthly periods. Menstruation is an enduring unmentionable there, and even conversation about it a taboo of Indian society. When it's discussed only ignorance is promoted. When a man is asked what is menstruation he replies, "It's a kind of illness, right?" A girl asks the "reason behind the bleeding," and an elder replies, "This is something only God knows." The real problem is that the absence of affordable ways to help women stay clean and comfortable holds them back from economic autonomy. A simple and inexpensive machine invented by a man interested in liberating the power of girls and women allows them to make their own pads and also generate income. The freedom they achieve through pad use and the economic boon sales provide encourage women to get educated, to raise their standard of living, and to train for careers. This short film was funded in part through bake sales and a Kickstarter campaign by a group of California students who sent machines to India and supported the Los Angeles documentary-maker who made the movie.
Is It Any Good?
This is a beautiful film for so many reasons, most obviously that it shines a light on outdated views of menstruation and how those views hold women back. But the example Period. End of Sentence sets is in its genesis. The project came out of community support for women, funded in part by The Pad Project, devoted to upending social and economic structures that devalue girls. It was also funded through bake sales and a Kickstarter campaign created by high school students at Los Angeles' Oakwood School, and their teacher Melissa Berton, demonstrating that empowerment inspires empowerment. High school students learned they could make a difference. And women and girls in India are making a difference as they spread their empowerment through the sale of a product that can help all women.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why a culture might make life difficult for women when they have their periods. What are some reasons that come to mind?
Although the women and girls in Period. End of Sentence are working hard at making pads, they look happy and excited. How does purposeful work inspire people to excel in their lives?
In what ways do you think a better understanding of the biology of menstruation could help societies become more open to women?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: February 12, 2019
- Director: Rayka Zehtabchi
- Inclusion Information: Middle Eastern/North African directors
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Documentary
- Character Strengths: Courage , Teamwork
- Run time: 26 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Award: Academy Award
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Movies with Strong Female Characters
Best Documentaries
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate