Deep Dive: Menstrual Man (2024)
Film Lens
Menstrual Man is a documentary film directed by Amit Virmani that tells the story of Arunachalam Muruganantham, an Indian social entrepreneur who invented machines for rural women to produce low-cost sanitary pads. The film follows Muruganantham as he travels across India, highlighting his efforts to improve women's hygiene and health in rural communities. It premiered at the 2013 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and received recognition at various film festivals, including being voted a Top Ten Audience Favourite at Hot Docs and IDFA.
The production began in January 2012 after Virmani learned about Muruganantham in December 2011. With funding secured in June 2012 from the Media Development Authority of Singapore, the film includes reenactments and licensed Bollywood footage. The film received positive reviews for its engaging storytelling and the charismatic presence of Muruganantham, despite some criticism regarding its title, which Virmani defended as essential to addressing the stigma surrounding menstruation in India.
Why Watch
- •Meet Arunachalam Muruganantham, a unique inventor.
- •See how low-cost sanitary pads are made in rural India.
- •Find out why the film's title matters for women's health.
Did You Know
•The film premiered at the 2013 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.
•It was voted a Top Ten Audience Favourite at both Hot Docs and IDFA in 2013.
•Virmani began filming in January 2012 and followed Muruganantham for five months.
•The film was nominated for Best Feature Documentary at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
Perfect For
Social entrepreneurshipWomen's health issuesIndian social issues