Watch "El 7 Mujeres" on YouTube, a short film about HPV.

"El 7 Mujeres" is a short Colombian-Ecuadorian film available for free on YouTube. It is part of a campaign by the Colombian Cancer League in partnership with the pharmaceutical multinational MSD, aimed at raising awareness about HPV (Human Papillomavirus).

This 31-minute short film is a 100% independent co-production, shot in Colombia under the direction of Juan Carlos Beltrán.

There are issues we cannot ignore. The title comes from an alarming statistic: in Colombia, seven women die every day due to cervical cancer, which is linked to HPV, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. It spreads easily due to its asymptomatic nature, its over 100 variants, and the myths surrounding how it is transmitted.

Due to these false beliefs surrounding a disease that could affect 85% of the population at some point in their lives, the Colombian Cancer League and MSD set out to create a free-distribution film. The film, with an intriguing plot, addresses a silent enemy that has claimed the lives of seven women.

The story takes us to a town called "El Silencio" (The Silence), where a murderer is terrifying the residents. Six disappearances have already been reported, and two detectives are sent to the town to solve the case and find the missing persons. Aurora (Tatiana Trujillo) is a highly skilled investigator who, despite being mute due to an accident, excels with her sharp instincts. It is through her that we follow the story, as her keen intuition helps unravel the mystery, alongside her partner Gerardo (David Moncada), who not only assists but also protects her. All signs suggest the murderer is about to claim one more victim before the case is solved.

Well-directed, well-acted, and with good suspense and production quality, the short film clearly aims to debunk the myths surrounding HPV, such as the belief that only women can contract it, that it only affects young people, or that monogamous and stable couples are safe.

"When we started this project, we were driven by a chilling statistic that everyone should know: in Colombia, seven women die every day from cervical cancer. Through this film, we aim to raise awareness about this infection in a creative and engaging way, with the goal of reaching as many people as possible, considering the impact this virus has on public health," said Dr. Wilson Cubides, Executive Director of the Colombian Cancer League, during the film's launch. The film also promotes preventive measures like vaccination, which has been extensively studied and is considered safe and effective, not only for children and young people (it can be administered from age 9) but also for adults.

The WHO's 90-70-90 strategy

This short film helps reinforce strategies like the World Health Organization's 90-70-90 strategy, created in 2018, which aims to eliminate cervical cancer by setting global targets for 2030.

The goals include 90% vaccination coverage for children under 15, 70% of women getting screening tests at ages 35 and 45, and ensuring that 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease receive proper treatment.

The implementation of this strategy is expected to reduce the incidence and mortality rate of cervical cancer by 40% by 2050.

Watch "El 7 Mujeres"

The short film is now available worldwide and can be watched for free on YouTube or a website created for the film, where viewers can also learn more about common myths surrounding HPV.

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