Flori is a film about a girls first period.
Actor and filmmaker Rebecca Palmer wrote the screenplay following a conversation with her nephew Eden that initially felt groundbreaking, but subsequently revealed the shaming, stigmatised world of period non communication, misunderstanding and unkindness.
Palmer knew that with two young daughters, she wanted to address the conversation in a way that resonated with her families open approach to talking about bodies, emotions and experiences.
Palmer said: “When Eden relayed this story about a female friend of his cousin Harry getting her first period unexpectedly. It was the young woman who felt ashamed, humiliated. Harry dealt with it calmly and efficiently. He helped her navigate the situation and ultimately increase her self confidence. His act of kindness allowed them both to normalise what felt to her like a seismic situation.”
“When Eden told me the story in a very relaxed, unprovoked way he reinforced this attitude of kindness, or normalcy. I was moved by both of their attitudes but I became irritated almost immediately. This was before the Period Positive movement became so visible. Before the Scottish Government, schools, colleges, universities and public spaces provided free products.
Why wasn’t this exchange between toe young people a ‘normal’ experience? Why did it resonant so keenly with my own memories of shame, stained clothing, whispers in gym class, derogatory comments across genders?
With two young girls of my own, I needed to know why boys and girls don’t talk about periods? Why do girls shame each other? Why is period shaming still occurring? Why are we so awkward about menstrual blood?
I powerfully believe that talking about periods when we are very young is the first step towards respecting our bodies and the bodies of others throughout our lives.
This perceived lack of open conversation angered me, and I wrote the first draft of Flori in an hour.”
“After adolescence comes a lifetime of wild, intimate, very physical experience and each one of us would benefit from communication, kindness and experience around periods.
“Period poverty has been brilliantly addressed by many, including Amika George, Scarlett Curtis, Hey Girls UK, Bloody Good periods, The Red Box Scheme and many more. The Scottish government has secured free period products in most schools and universities. The fantastic campaign #DadsforPads encourages conversations between fathers and daughters about periods.
“It will be interesting to see how many of these integral and initiating groups are recognised by the UK government in its desire to be seen as instrumental in social change.”
Flori stars newcomer Sam Telford as Flori, Eden Palmer as Jake and Jonny Freeman as Uncle Paul. Palmer worked with Freeman on CBBC’s M.I.High. It is Palmer’s directorial debut,
Flori 