I’m not an expert in Japanese anime films, but I am pretty knowledgeable about the representation of menstruation and menarche in films in the English-speaking world, especially the U.S. So I was surprised to read in this review/story about the Isao Takahata film, Only Yesterday, that the reason the film won’t be distributed on DVD in the U.S. because there is a menarche scene.
The reason Only Yesterday has not been released on DVD in the United States, and never will be in the near future, is because it includes references to menstruation. Disney has a distribution deal with Studio Ghibli, but decided it could not release the film because of this. And Studio Ghibli included a clause in their contract which stated the scene could not be altered. Removing this scene would have been detrimental to the film, also foolish. This is I’m sure a fundamental part of growing up for females, and the point of its insertion is that the ’82 Taeko is changing just as she was changing in 1966. She must learn to accept these changes, not reject them, and it is an issue she faces at both periods in her life. (no pun intended)
Menarche has been used in other films to communicate the same kinds of messages; as I argued in Capitalizing on the Curse, that was part of the purpose of Vada’s menarche in My Girl. This is a turning point in the film, in which Vada realizes that she is a girl, will develop into a woman, and must abandon her childhood pastimes – including her friendship with Thomas J.
Menarche scenes occur in other films as well, with similar plot functions, but usually the actual bleeding takes places off-camera, as in My Girl. (A Walk on the Moon is a notable exception.) I can’t tell from the review how explicit menstruation is in Only Yesterday, but given the description of the rest of the film, it’s hard to believe it justifies blocking U.S. release of the movie.
This is truly unsettling. Who is making these decisions about menstruation being a topic unsuitable for viewing or consideration by American girls? Who at Disney made this call? I really believe this is something worth pursuing. How can anyone defend such a silly decision? The message to American girls seems to be: Don’t ask, don’t tell because Disney doesn’t want anything to do with menstruation. Maybe Disney shouldn’t have anything to do with girls, period.
Even worse, Laura, I’m pretty sure this is not a kids’ movie; this about preventing ADULTS from viewing a menarche scene in a film, if the reviewer’s report of the reason for non-distribution in the U.S. is correct.
For Menstrual Monday 2011, I’m trying to have a couple of flofilm festivals – one here in a Michigan and then maybe another in California – although probably showing different films.
Does anyone know if there already has been a day-long flofilm festival (menstrual films) + panel discussion somewhere, in the US, or anywhere on the planet? Seems like there are enough menstrual documentaries, as well as other film genres, to fill out a one or even two-day slate…?? What’s the holdup?
Michael Moore has a film festival in Traverse City, Michigan in the summer – I keep hoping he’ll add some menstrual films into the mix. Maybe just show up with some laptops that are playing menstrual/menarche films, out on the sidewalk, hey, it’s a DIY Flofilm Festival! Take a look for free! Get a free UFO and MOLTwheel if you watch the whole film! And a cup of ice-cold cranberry juice! Tell all your friends! Etc…
The menstruation scene is nothing. The boys in the main character’s class find out about menstruation because one of the girls sits out during PE. The main character gets sick soon after and also has to sit out from PE much to her mortification. She talks to the other girl about it. She gets teased by the boys. Her grown-up self reflects back on how silly she was then. The end. It’s actually pretty sweet.