Menopause Mystery
Louise Unmack Kjeldsen / Denmark, Norway & Germany / 2026 / World Premiere / 74 min
A personal and investigative documentary about a phase of life that half the world's population goes through, yet we know surprisingly little about.
When director Louise Unmack Kjeldsen is struck by insomnia, brain fog and depression, she slowly realises that what she thought was a private crisis is in fact a global experience shared by women all over the world.
In her search for answers, she travels to meet leading researchers in brain science, psychiatry and the labour market. They examine how hormonal changes affect women’s mental health and working life and create a risk of disorders such as depression and dementia. At the same time, women across countries, cultures and living conditions talk about losing themselves.
It all culminates in a current conflict when a major medical journal warns against “pathologising” the menopause. The dilemma is real: if we talk too much about the symptoms, women risk losing their foothold in the labour market. If we remain silent, we leave them without help.