The premier of Dr Yansie Rolston’s Our Menopause was held at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London on 29 May. The short film, by award-winning filmmaker Nicola Cross, was a tool for data collection using active conversation. The 20-minute piece features a group of Black British women talking frankly and movingly about their experiences of the menopause, during a weekend away together. The women hail from various parts of the UK, with roots across the world, from Guyana to Ghana. They are in their 30s, 40s, 50s, there was even an octogenarian, all sharing their stories openly and honestly. They found similarities and differences, learning a lot about themselves – and what they all had in common was menopause.
Cross said, “There are additional layers of stigma in Black communities, to do with factors like race, culture, religion and privilege. Black women are not homogenous, which needs to be understood in the workplace, the health service and in society as a whole”.
The film’s Executive Producer and founder of You and Menopause, Dr Yansie Rolston FRSA, said, “We wanted to create a very special event to thank the women who took part, and give them the opportunity to dress up, party, feel good about and celebrate themselves, and to indulge in the full red carpet experience…. as menopause is also Black women in a space having a good time!”
A panel discussion hosted by broadcaster Valley Fontaine followed the film, giving the audience an opportunity to pose questions. The evening ended as it began, with exquisite entertainment by Trinidad All Stars’ pannist Dane Gulston. For more information about the work being done and the new book by Dr Yansie Rolston, see youandmenopause.org.
