MTV’s ‘In Bloom’ Anthology Takes on Gender Inequality Across 3 Continents
MTV’s creative endeavor, “In Bloom,” boldly confronts gender disparities across three continents, igniting conversations and championing new voices in the fight for gender equality. Spearheaded by the MTV Staying Alive Foundation in collaboration with Paramount Global and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this anthology of short films serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for women’s rights worldwide.
Under the visionary leadership of Nigerian TV and film director Tope Oshin, a board member of UN Live, “In Bloom” features five compelling short films directed by talented female filmmakers from Nigeria, Kenya, India, the US, and Brazil. Each film delves into critical issues such as period poverty, child marriage, gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS stigma, family planning, and women’s economic empowerment, shedding light on the multifaceted challenges faced by women and girls globally.
One captivating episode, “Aféfé,” set in Nigeria and directed by Dolapo Lola Adeleke, stars Folu Storms as a beautician whose life takes a tumultuous turn when her elderly and ailing mother-in-law unexpectedly moves in. The anthology also includes “Period,” a comedic drama from the US directed by Nicole Teeny, which follows Fay’s journey to obtain menstrual products when she cannot afford them.
In the Bengali drama “Alta,” directed by Priyanka Banerjee from India, a defiant teenager’s refusal to leave the bathroom prompts her father to seek help, revealing a deeper familial bond. Meanwhile, in the Portuguese social realist drama “Maré,” directed by Giuliana Monteiro from Brazil, a mother grappling with life’s challenges finds solace amidst turmoil.
Rounding out the anthology is the Swahili psychological horror “Kifungo,” directed by Voline Ogutu from Kenya, which explores the journey of self-acceptance for an ambitious romantic after she discovers she is HIV positive.
The premiere of “In Bloom” is scheduled for March 1, 2024, on Paramount+ across various regions including the US, UK, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Japan, and South Korea, coinciding with Women’s History Month celebrations. Simultaneously, the anthology will debut on Pluto TV globally and air across MTV international linear channels. Additionally, on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2024, “In Bloom” will premiere on BET in Africa.
Following its initial screenings, the anthology will reach a global audience through premieres on YouTube in India and Africa, paving the way for broader distribution facilitated by a global content distributor. Through its powerful storytelling and diverse representation, “In Bloom” aims to spark meaningful dialogue and inspire tangible action in the ongoing pursuit of gender equality.
