From Omeleto.
A young woman throws a party.
PERIOD PARTY is used with permission from Georgia Brogan. Learn more at https://georgiabrogan.com.
Bee is throwing a party at home, complete with cake, decorations and celebration. This isn’t just any party: she’s celebrating the return of her period, which disappeared while she was in the throes of anorexia.
The family — neurotic mom, embarrassing dad, misunderstanding grandmother, and younger sibling Lou — gathers around Bee as they prepare. Some members don’t quite understand what the big deal is, but as they come together, they all realize just what it means for Bee to celebrate this milestone and why it matters so much.
Directed and written by Georgia Brogan, this resonant short dramedy blends a unique premise, playful visuals and enormous empathy to portray one woman’s recovery from physical and emotional turmoil. One of anorexia’s side effects is the cessation of monthly menses, but in building a narrative around the return of Bee’s period, it offers a rare, unique and meaningful way to approach and talk about a serious topic.
Part of the film’s distinction is its visual aesthetic, which combines whimsical and even campy elements in the production design — a uterus-shaped pinata is a nice touch — and offers many opportunities for knowing humor. The cinematography is also warm and gentle in lighting and colors, with soft, mellow tones that convey both comfort and charm. There’s a visual coziness and quirkiness that’s welcoming in spirit, bringing us into Bee’s intimate world.
The film’s sensibility echoes its main character, played by actor Jemilla Harvey, with a thoughtfulness that can be both pensive and compassionate. Harvey deftly portrays the balancing act of a survivor: someone who has an inner vulnerability after going through difficult experiences, but also can marshall the strength and resilience to get through it. When Bee confronts the misconceptions that exist within her own family about what she’s just been through, she perhaps realizes that recovery will be a complicated, long-term process, not just for herself but for the world and people around her. But she soldiers on, determined to celebrate her progress with loved ones who support and understand her.
Emotional and funny with a palpable tenderness towards its characters and their perspectives, PERIOD PARTY has the gift of a rare and magical equanimity: it possesses charm, humor and joy, but it also never shirks from the heartache of its subject matter. By celebrating an often-overlooked or private milestone of recovery, it also highlights the self-honesty and resilience that survivors must possess to get to that point — and how they still must draw on that to deal with misconceptions. Many disorders and conditions thrive in shame and secrecy, but by openly celebrating the return of her period, Bee also celebrates a healthy and open appreciation of her physical self, unrelated to appearance. It makes for a comedic, messy, and heartfelt reclamation of bodily respect and love, and a cinematic experience whose courageous intimacy makes us feel like we are one of the family.
