WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Unstained. Unmarked. Pristine. When it comes to those facets in life, whether created or innate, that we desire to keep absolutely pure, it’s a challenge enough to discover the means to not only do so, but to maintain it against the myriad of elements that might seek to taint it or at least cause us to once more have to clean it up. While much of this might be in our control, what happens when nature is taking its course and the method to address it ISN’T reachable? Fifteen-year-old Ruby (Alicia Prinsen) has awoken this particular morning to a newly experienced circumstance–her first period. Heralding from a financially struggling family that includes her doting and hard-working mother Barbara (Astrid van Eck) and younger sister Marie (Ilva Los), Ruby faces one of the world’s more sadly present and unique issues that will force her to the problem in creative but sobering, even heartbreaking, ways.
Next, my Mind:
Period poverty. It was very safe to say that I had NO idea whatsoever that this was an actual concept which is not only very real, but a situation that impacts 1 in 10 women in the Netherlands along with girls all over the world. It’s an eye-opening, tangibly relevant, definitely evocative, influential, and awareness-raising wake-up call to us as people, even if you’re not of the gender that this so drastically affects. It is this venture into the realities of the human condition that is so deftly and dramatically addressed through the Oscar qualifying 16-minute short film from writer/director Emma Branderhorst, writer Milou Rohde, and producers Marc Bary and Nicky Onstenk. It seems more and more evident that as time goes by, we get far too “comfortable” (heck, let’s just call it what it is–apathetic) towards any existing topic of concern that DOESN’T directly shape our own lives or cause us any real worry. Hence, it’s why I personally appreciate films like this that shine a light on that which, even IF not directly experienced, can still be shown acknowledgement and compassion.
The narrative we are presented with here that focuses on a young girl’s first encounter with her period and the slowly building, increasingly desperate ways she attempts to resolve the need to take care of it while facing the challenge of being part of a poor family, the pacing is perfect, moving with full and compelling intent that doesn’t at all shy away from the film’s primary theme in the least, especially visually, which only makes the point of it all much more impactful and even mildly jarring. It speaks to the ingenuity people are capable of when pressed for resolution and necessary resources to make something happen. But, the effort goes beyond the foundational objective and also delves into the grander ideas of poverty, humiliation, undue shame/guilt, and parental provision for their children while likewise carrying a message about just how much responsibility can be unintentionally placed upon a child, bearing the weight of discouragement and frustration over what is really a whole family’s shared contention with hardship and trying to live a fulfilling life while having so little to put into and/or show for it.
By the moment we reach the film’s utterly stirring finale, it cements in our minds as the viewer the importance of what the narrative is portraying for us, and along with the aforementioned statistic above that puts the final exclamation point on the proceedings, this critic truly hopes the project does what it should do–promote the also aforementioned awareness of period poverty, cause more notice to be paid to it, and then promote more action on the part of anyone and everyone who is struck by this to seek out ways to be a part of the solution in order that girls all around the world will be better off for it and have more confidence about this part of life they were going to face, but be able to do so in a manner that breeds hope and offers plentiful supply for the need to those struggling to make ends meet. Again, visually, the film’s purposefully stark cinematography makes the atmosphere very apropos to the story and raw, candid imagery further drives home the entire notion of what is being dealt with highly effectively.
Prinsen is a total gem here, putting together a fully mature performance that belies the actress’ younger age, exuding both affecting vulnerability and dogged determination through her role as Ruby, a 15-year-old girl who wakes to one of what is her life’s expected occurrences, yet has to face the realization that just being able to obtain the key item she needs most to deal with it almost seems like an impossibility given her family’s dire financial straits. Not wishing to be a burden to her haggard mother, Ruby goes about pushing forward and trying to do whatever it takes to reconcile the issue, but in doing so comes into an awareness filled with constant preoccupation, frustration, and a more deep pondering her life. Ultimately choosing a slightly more precarious solution to her present dilemma, it will become a harbinger of release that might alter her path for the better. It’s truly a wrenching, persuasive story, and Prinsen’s plausibility as Ruby is undeniable and moving on multiple levels as she navigates the character’s plight.
Primary supporting roles are offered up through van Eck as Ruby’s beleaguered mother Barbara, who tirelessly tries to make life the best for her daughters she can, but knows that sometimes even that doesn’t seem like enough, having to confess as much to Ruby in a particularly emotive scene, Los as Ruby’s sister Marie, whom we can tell looks up to and appreciates her big sister, and Wendy Ruijfrok as one of Ruby’s best friends Tessa whom is an involuntary but still willing aid to Ruby’s specific need at the moment. Additional turns come from Thomas Höppener, Zjon Smaal, Manu Van Wetten, Jetty Mathurin, Bas De Bruijn, and Sami Ballafkir. So, in total, “Spotless (Vlekkeloos)” provides us an unexpectedly stimulating, slice-of-real-life, expressively pertinent, definitive glimpse into the actuality of a valid and honestly problematic affair that deserves notice and a means to see it taken more seriously, as it’s one more issue in existence currently that is negatively impacting so many individuals.
Something should never be deemed irrelevant or be ignored when it comes to the well-being and care of anyone in a less fortunate position, and to aid girls and women around the world in eliminating period poverty seems a worthy cause to embark on, pay more heed to, and spur those willing to offer assistance into action. Let’s face it, woman OR man, isn’t being there to help others what humanity should REALLY be about? Let’s make it happen.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
