We were lucky to catch up with Lana Bolycheva recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

Yes! I run film sets that are friendly to people who menstruate. I don’t think anyone has tried this before, so it feels like I’m so it feels like I’m creating something new, which is incredibly exciting!

Statistics show that about 50% of women experience some degree of pain or discomfort during menstruation, with around 80% experiencing it at some point in their lives. About 5–10% suffer pain so intense that it disrupts their daily lives.

The reality is that women have learned to hide menstrual pain, and hiding it become sort of norm. Society made it taboo to speak up about it. It’s uncomfortable, for instance, to tell a boss or supervisor, “Hey, I’m menstruating and not feeling my best—can I leave early today?”.

This unspoken expectation to hide or ignore period pain is something I disagree with, and I’m committed to changing it. I want to make it normal for people to acknowledge this natural experience and to rest when they need to. Allowing for rest and accommodation will have a positive impact on their overall health.

I start by explaining my approach to crew members during hiring. I let them know that energy levels shift across the menstrual cycle and that I want to consider these changes when planning the production schedule.
I also check in with crew members, asking if they’d like to share any dates where they might need a lighter load, extra hands, or a day off. For instance, I’ll ask my cinematographer in advance if we should avoid scheduling a heavy handheld shoot day if they expect to be menstruating or ensure that we don’t schedule a swimming scene or any nudity scenes for actors on the days of their menstruation. Accommodations like these make a real difference and have been so appreciated. I wish practices like this were standard on big productions because there’s truly no good reason to ignore them. And you should see the difference it makes—how happy people are when this simple need is recognized.

I’m hopeful that word will spread about the positive experience of working on sets that consider the menstrual cycle and that more productions will adopt this practice in the future!

Lana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a filmmaker; I write and direct films and video content. Since 2011, I’ve been working in the film industry across the US, Europe, and Russia, creating both narrative and documentary projects.

In my work, I enjoy exploring serious topics with a sense of humor. I believe that humor provokes thought and sparks a powerful inner response. Make people laugh, and you invite them to reflect on the very matter they’re laughing about. Hearing an audience laugh makes me feel that I’ve improved their lives, even if just for a moment, making them happier and, perhaps, extending their lifespan.

I’m also drawn to exploring deep emotional landscapes through science fiction and fantastical elements. My goal is to make visible what is often invisible, so my work is never purely realistic. I leave room for fantasy, dreams, and memories, creating a space where imagination and reality intersect.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to support people by giving recognition to their fears, struggles, and needs.

In today’s world, especially with social media, we often see polished success stories. But the reality is that there are many unseen battles. Many of us face daily struggles—overcoming trauma, navigating bureaucracy, fighting illnesses, or dealing with personal challenges. Whether we’re winning or losing, this battle is a constant process.

I believe it’s crucial for people to feel seen and to know they aren’t alone in what they’re going through. My mission is to support people through storytelling, which I believe has a profound healing power. Through my work, I aim to offer recognition, inspiration, and laughter.

Each project I take on has its own unique goal and mission as well. For example, I currently have two projects in development. Dysphoria is a fiction feature film, a satirical thriller that tells the story of a victim of bureaucracy. And a documentary, Hear Me, about the power and wisdom of menstruation, which delves into the cultural, emotional, and physical aspects of a natural cycle often misunderstood and stigmatized.

Ultimately, my purpose as a storyteller is to bridge the distance between people, offering empathy and insight through stories that honor our shared experiences.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect for me is the process of filmmaking and writing itself.
Each project is a field to explore and learn, requiring its own research and discovery. It also brings me together with other artists, which is a true joy. Art provides me with a shelter from the world—a place where I can escape from reality, reflect, heal, and then return renewed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lanabolycheva.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lana_bolycheva/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lanabolycheva/
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/lana-bolycheva-b43084168
• Other: https://vimeo.com/lanabolycheva