Description
Anorexia is an eating disorder and serious mental health condition. It causes more deaths than any other psychiatric disorder. 75% of those who suffer from eating disorders are female and almost half will never make a full recovery.
This is a powerful feature length documentary that takes viewers to the heart of the eating disorder crisis to coincide with National Eating Disorder Week. Through observational filming, extraordinarily candid interviews and intimate, self-filmed diaries, this film tells the ongoing story of three young women caught in the grip of this life-threatening illness at a critical phase, and their families fighting to save their lives. With the condition affecting every area of their existence, this film also explores the idea of how the ‘anorexic brain’ governs their every move.
19 year old Lottie has suffered with anorexia for over 5 years and was hospitalised at the age of 16. Having recently discharged herself from specialist eating disorder treatment, she is trying to recover at home. But her Mum Kate is concerned she’s at her lowest weight ever and not physically safe. Kate is worried that unless Lottie changes her behaviour the future may be very bleak.
19 year old Emily has been in hospital for almost 5 months after she was admitted in a critical condition and dangerously underweight. She will be allowed home if she can reach her target weight, but fears she won’t be able to let go of the illness.
21 year old Hannah has just been discharged home from hospital and would like to return to full time work. It is one of the most difficult stages of recovery, as almost 50% of people will suffer a relapse within the first year following treatment. Self aware and articulate Hannah provides a unique insight into coping with the anorexic mind.
Each of the young women is at a crucial point in their battle with the illness. For the families, supporting their loved ones is like living on a knife edge.
This powerful film is made by the same team responsible for the award winning Channel 5 documentary Suicidal: In Our Own Words which won The Grierson Award for Best Documentary of The Year in 2020.