Spanish-Language Version of Groundbreaking Film About Menopause Could Be Available to Latinas
When the documentary about fact and fiction surrounding menopause, "Hot Flash Havoc," was released in 2012, it transformed the lives of many women experiencing "the change."
Now, the creators to the revolutionary film are looking to reach Spanish-speaking audiences by working toward developing the film in Spanish.
The film is a direct response to hysteria caused by hot flashes and extra pounds. And the medical information made available in "Hot Flash Havoc" has saved lives. Filmmaker Heidi Houston spearheaded the film after her own personal experience with early menopause. She became frustrated with mixed messages in the media, and independently reached out to more than 30 experts in the menopause community to change the narrative about menopause and create a conversation between experts and women.
The award-winning documentary has earned the approval of influential organizations and women's groups because it educates the public. For instance, estrogen deeply impacts everything from reproduction to moods and anxiety levels. Both women and men have a true understanding of mood swings or hormones. Also, there's still so much to learn about hormone replacement therapy, alternative medicines and natural remedies. The film also touches on breast cancer, depression, panic attacks, preventative care and the importance of exercise.
"When I think of menopause, I think of hate, pure clean hate," one woman said in documentary "Hot Flash Havoc." Nevertheless, "you're very lucky to reach menopause," another woman said. "If you don't reach it, you have some troubles."
The documentary is playful, and it lightens conversation on the subject of menopausal and postmenopausal women, but it's only available in English. That leaves out over 550,000,000 million people worldwide in the Spanish community who cannot benefit from the information in the film.
The U.S. alone has over 70 million women who are entering or experiencing menopause, and there are over 1.7 billion worldwide. Also, there are more than 50 million Spanish-speaking women in the U.S.
The film has been played in over 150 major U.S., Canadian and European cities, but the creation of a one-hour Spanish-language version would mean even further reach. To do this, the filmmakers must raise funds in order to continue to save lives, marriages and sanity of women everywhere.
"The biggest challenge is not in accomplishing this dub technically or the edit down to an hour - we know how to do what needs to be done - it's purely a function of funding at this point. Once we secure the funds, this film WILL be edited, dubbed and released in Spanish as well," said filmmakers.
The Spanish-language "Hot Flash Havoc" kickstarter campaign goal is $85,000 and ends on Nov. 28.