MAYA: The Birth of a Superhero

“Genuinely empowering. This is galvanising, boundary-pushing art at it’s best.”

**** - The Guardian

Winner Special Jury Mention Prize 2023 Tribeca Festival. Nominated Festival de Cannes Compétition Immersive 2024. Exhibited Victoria & Albert Museum x LDF 2023.

An immersive story following Maya, an ordinary 21st Century girl, as she transforms into a uniquely female superhero whose powers derive from menstruation.

Staring Indira Varma (Game of Thrones), Charithra Chandran (Bridgerton) the piece was created by renowned artist and activist, Poulomi Basu and co-directed by CJ Clarke.

With the arrival of her first period Maya’s world is turned upside down as she is confronted by the restrictive traditions of her conservative family and a world of hidden shame, stigma and taboo that exist in contemporary London.

She must overcome her own shame and fear to find her inner strength and true super-powers.

Inspired by Poulomi Basu’s law changing impact art project ‘Blood Speaks’ about menstrual exile and violence against women in South Asia.

The Player must find the magic within themselves, discovering a strength that emerges out of trauma to be a power based on self love and solidarity.

The piece draws together the real and the magical to trace possible paths to resilience and justice.

Her name, Maya, means magic and illusion in Sanskrit.

Produced by Just Another Production Company in co-production with France Télévisions – Francetv Storylab, in conjunction with the Meta VR for Good program.