Ep 77: Menopause in the Movies with Dr Nighat Arif, Kate Muir and Linda Sands Girls On Film

Anna delves into Channel 4’s urgent new documentary Sex, Myths and the Menopause with director Linda Sands and producer Kate Muir. Presented by Davina McCall, this show dispels the taboo surrounding menopause and demands that we start to have open conversations on the subject. Kate shares the personal experiences that compelled her to write a book and produce the film. Linda describes working with Davina and how she set the tone for the doc. They then explore the limited – and often terrible – representations of menopause in the movies.

Next, Anna is joined by GP and women’s health expert Dr Nighat Arif to discuss the mental and physical wellbeing of women before, during and after menopause. Dr Nighat discusses the part she played in the Channel 4 doc and explains the importance of recognising the intersectionality of menopause – it is not just a ‘white woman problem’. She reveals she is a bit of a film buff and picks out some on screen menopause moments with Anna. This discussion is jam-packed with useful medical tips and uplifting messages for all!

Find out more about the doc here: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/davina-mccall-sex-myths-and-the-menopause

Start your research here:
International Menopause Society: www.imsociety.org
Menopause Matters: www.menopausematters.co.uk
The Menopause Charity: www.themenopausecharity.org
#ActingYourAgeCampaign – http://www.mrsnickyclark.com/-acting-your-age--campaign.html

Movie & TV Mentions: Nomadland; Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri; Olive Kitteridge; The Hot Flashes; Something’s Gotta Give; The Piano; Top of the Lake; Sex and the City 2; Fleabag; Call My Agent; Bombay Begums; House of Cards; The Golden Girls; Desperately Seeking Susan.

Dr Nighat Arif: @DrNighatArif
Kate Muir: @muirkate
Linda Sands: @LindaBSands1

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Girls On Film is an HLA production. Executive producer: Hedda Archbold. Audio Producer: Emma Butt. Principal Partner: Peter Brewer. Assistant Producer and Social Media Manager: Heather Dempsey. Assistant Producer: Elliana Jay.