A short film titled Jane Austen’s Period Drama has emerged as an Oscar contender, blending Jane Austen’s Regency-era satire with a modern take on menstruation. Directed by Julia Aks and Steven Pinder, the 13-minute live-action piece features Aks as the lead and counts Emma Thompson as its executive menstrual adviser. The film uses humor to highlight historical ignorance about women’s bodies, drawing praise for its clever homage to Austen’s work.
Jane Austen’s Period Drama, a 13-minute short film co-directed by Julia Aks and Steven Pinder, has garnered attention as a nominee for the Academy Award in the live-action short category. Recently made available on YouTube, the film plays on the double meaning of “period” to explore menstruation in a Regency setting, echoing Austen’s themes of gender, health, and satire.
The story follows a heroine who must explain menstruation to an oblivious suitor after he mistakes her period stain for a wound, leading to comedic hijinks reminiscent of Austen’s novels like Sense and Sensibility. As the heroine begins, “We are not meant to speak of it,” highlighting the era’s taboos. The suitor, ignorant of women’s “monthlies” or “courses,” carries her home in a panic, prompting family debates on whether to lie about the “injury” or reveal the truth to secure his proposal.
Julia Aks, who also wrote and starred in the film, incorporated historical details such as the use of a “clout”—a rag-based cloth—for managing menstrual blood. Cinematographer Luca Del Puppo captures the lush landscapes familiar from adaptations like the BBC’s 1995 Pride and Prejudice and Joe Wright’s 2005 film. Original music includes tracks like “Down by the Red, Red River” and “Slide Up, Slide Up,” adding to the film’s charm.
The piece draws on Austen’s era, where terms like “menstruation” appeared in medical texts but everyday knowledge varied, especially among men. Austen’s letters offer hints of sympathy for period pain, such as a 1808 note to her sister about Huxham’s tincture for “periodic headaches” and nerves. While Austen’s fiction avoids direct mentions, it frequently addresses health and illness, from hypochondriacs in Emma to bodily functions in her Juvenilia.
Emma Thompson’s role as executive menstrual adviser underscores the film’s blend of education and entertainment. As an Austen scholar notes, it promotes rational understanding of women’s bodies, aligning with Austen’s emphasis on mutual transparency in relationships. In today’s context of reproductive health challenges, the film invites open discussions through satire.