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28 DAYS GREATER

28 Days Greater

"poetic, pragmatic, passionate"
   
-Louise Penn

"a resistance against the narratives of shame and weakness associated with the menstrual cycle"
-Lilly Gill

the films

the films

28 short films reclaim the power of periods through moving image, poetry and music

Conceived, written and directed by Carolyn Defrin

Filmed + edited by Rosie Powell

Music by Callum Grant + special guests

Press

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"a resistance against the narratives of shame and weakness associated with the menstrual cycle."

-Lily Gill, The Reviews Hub 

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"The most rewarding part of this project thus far is the discussion it’s provoking amongst women, and across gender...opening up a space for people to talk openly about the taboo subject of menstruation and to feel like they belong in that conversation- whether they menstruate or not."

-Carolyn Defrin in conversation with Theatre Bubble

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"poetic, pragmatic, passionate"

-Louise Penn, Lou Reviews

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"We need rage as much as we need quiet and calm."

- Carolyn Defrin conversation with Mickie Noonan, Standard Issue Podcast

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press

About

the Project

"My period has mostly been an experience of hiding: hiding tampons, hiding pain, hiding emotions. All to ensure I wasn’t pinned as weak. Two years ago, I began reading the trending literature about menstrual power and suddenly felt like I was uncovering a secret code- a blueprint for empowerment that was in tune with the natural world. 

 

Each film is a short audio-visual expression of the strengths I’ve begun to notice as I’ve charted my own cycle and listened more closely to my body. Talking with other women across age has furthered that sense of power as post-menopausal women expressed missing  bleeding because it gave them a sense of ‘restart’ each month and newer menstruators  shared their close attention to the need to rest and honour the pain, rather than ignore it. It’s also been important to me to talk with those across the gender spectrum to see how they relate to a female structure like the menstrual cycle since so often it is the other way around.  Male friends who felt they shouldn’t ever ask opened up about their own emotional and physical cycles. One father shared his understanding of the power of bleeding as a life force- not something to shame- but rather uplift. Trans friends offered unique insight into hormonal impacts on their bodies and the ways in which that offers additional possibilities for existing beyond  the linear view of patriarchal productivity.

 

My hope is that each film can illuminate a part of life as informed by the menstrual cycle, in a way that several people (whether they menstruate or not) can relate to. 28 DAYS GREATER is not a prescription, or an effort to portray every aspect of menstruation as positive; rather it’s an artistic expression of the value of each aspect. Rage needs its space as much as quiet as much as confidence. If we listen to our bodies and the natural world around us and allow ourselves to move through it all, regularly- we might be healthier for it. For me, the 28 artworks feel aspirational. I’m trying to listen to my body and answer its calls more and more- but it doesn’t come easily as I’ve been trained not to listen for so many years. Each cycle thus becomes a conscious effort. But I now see this as an opportunity each month, rather than a drag."                                 

                                                                              -Carolyn Defrin

 

the team

Created + produced by Carolyn Defrin

Filmed + edited by Rosie Powell

Music by Callum Grant
Additional music by Adeloa Yemitan, Kevin O'Donnell

Sound Mix by Rob Ackerman

Graphic Design by Mimmo Manes

Featuring performances by:

Sue Mayo

Bella Cox  

Jiwoo Park

Hayley Konadu

Vicky Wong

Honor Fitz-Maurice

Vicky Relph

Raquel Trigueiros

Aylah Trigueiros

Lelia Katalnikova

Sally McNeill

Raji Gopalakrishnan

28 DAYS GREATER was developed with support from Camden Peoples' Theatre's 'Calm Down, Dear!' Festival of Feminism

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behind the scenes

As part of her creative process for 28 DAYS GREATER,  Carolyn Defrin interviewed 28 people across age and the gender spectrum. Together they talked about periods, cycles and power. Have a listen to some excerpts and get in touch if you'd like to talk or find out more.

IntroCarolyn
00:00 / 02:53
My job not to shameCliff
00:00 / 01:26
Grandmothers and YugoslaviaElena
00:00 / 02:06
CyclesAdeola
00:00 / 01:24
Respect the femaleManjushri
00:00 / 01:54
On power nowLucky
00:00 / 01:22
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Want to find out what's happening next for 28 Days Greater?  

Interested in booking a screening, an exhibition, or a facilitated dialogue to help de-stigmatise periods?

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