Two new eating disorders films

Dear Readers,

                I’m just back from viewing two very good new films about eating disorders that I would like to recommend to you. Swept is a short film about a brother visiting his sister while she is in a residential treatment center for an eating disorder.  Beauty Mark is a documentary about former champion tri-athlete Diane Israel, whose obsessive drive for athletic perfection, eating disorder and work as a psychotherapist led her on a journey to understand the drive for physical perfection at any cost that lies at the bottom of so many eating disorders. Both of these films were part of a National Eating Disorders Awareness Week event at Pace University in New York City, sponsored by NEDA (the National Eating Disorders Association).

              Swept depicts a difficult confrontation between an anorexic and her brother. The sister, in typical anorexic fashion pushes away food, connection with others, even an expression of love and concern by her own brother. Hints of parental discord, of family problems being “swept” under the carpet (hence the title) point to possible factors in the disorder, and the sister’s distaste at becoming a ‘project” for her well-meaning brother may seem familiar to some of you.

                Some of Beauty Mark too, will make those of you battling eating-disorders cringe with recognition: the frenzied spinning class, led by a former body builder who tearfully admits she hates her body, the male tri-athlete whose obsessive exercise leads to hospitalization, where he bench-presses his bed.  Israel is a compelling guide, leading the viewer on a tour of these driven athletes, through her own lifelong quest for approval and perfection, and through interviews with various experts. She even visits a seriously burned and disfigured mother and son who have learned the hard way that beauty is more than just skin deep.

                Moderator Sondra Kronberg, a nutritionist and well-known lecturer on eating disorders, offered these insights:

·         Eating disorders are not about food, but involve food.

·         An eating disorder is a creative adaption for survival

·         “I’m not good enough,” is a feeling that is a running theme one encounters among those battling eating disorders

Take care,

Nancy

Comments

[Joanna Poppink, MFT]

Your description of Swept gives a vivid picture of what is meant by eating disorders not being only about food.

The tragedy of anorexia is that a person with anorexia can't take in nourishment of any kind: food, love, appreciation.

She is never small enough. But she is never good enough, competent enough or lovable enough either.

She can be in the midst of plenty and feel compelled to reject what is available, even to the point of poor health and even death.

This film seems to show a needed realistic and deep portrayal of an anorexic life.

Thank you for supporting eating awareness week by reviewing this film.

[nancy]

This was a topic that Sondra Kronberg touched on last night. She defines anorexia as "an inability to take things in," including people, opportunities, pleasure and food. The inner voice of anorexics tells them:
"I'm not good enough,
I'm not worthy,
I don't deserve this,
It's not okay for me to have this."
Recovery, says Sondra, means:
"Learn how to say yes.
Learn to take things in.
Risk feeling good, feeling worthy."
Thank you for your comment, Joanna.
Nancy