The Movie Partnership have announced the release of upcoming coming-of-age comedy, Fitting In. Starring Maddie Ziegler (star of Sia’s music videos) and Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek, 12 Monkeys), the film will be released across digital platforms from 9th September.
Directed and written by Molly McGlynn, Fitting In follows 16-year-old Lindy who is unexpectedly diagnosed with a reproductive condition, MRKH syndrome. The diagnosis upends her plans to have sex, her presumptions about womanhood and sexuality, her relationship with her mother, and most importantly, herself.
McGlynn, herself diagnosed with MRKH syndrome, says “What starts out as a more traditional coming-of-age “losing your virginity” (quotes because I abhor that phrase) movie gets turned on its head. Fitting In asks big questions that I don’t have all the answers to, but wanted to explore: What is sex? What is gender? What makes a woman if she doesn’t bleed, can’t be penetrated or carry a baby?
I was diagnosed with the reproductive disorder MRKH Syndrome when I was sixteen after I hadn’t gotten my period, despite having a body that my mom seemed nervous about in the world of men. My single mother was recovering from breast cancer and dealing with losing her breast and changing femininity and I was learning I lost things I never even knew I lost in the first place; specifically, a uterus and my vagina, most of it anyway. Crazy, right? I know! I had to make a film about it.”
Mayer Rokitansky Küster Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a condition affecting approximately 1 in 5000 female births and leading to the absence or underdevelopment of the uterus, cervix and vagina. There are 2 types of MRKH, Type 1 as typified above and Type 2, in addition to the above may also affect the kidneys, bones, heart or hearing. Find out more and get support at mrkhconnect.co.uk
