Channel 5 has commissioned an “intimate and unflinching” ninety minute documentary film “taking viewers to the heart of the eating disorder crisis, as seen through the eyes of families in the grip of anorexia.”
Anorexic (w/t) tells the ongoing story of three young women caught in the midst of this life-threatening illness at a critical phase, and their families fighting to help them save their own lives.
A Proper Content production, the documentary reveals the day to day struggles of young women with acute anorexia. With the condition affecting every area of their existence, this film also explores the idea of how the ‘anorexic mind’ governs their every move. Each of the young women is at a crucial point in their struggle with the illness. For the families, supporting their loved ones is like living on a knife edge.
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, some may not even survive. Through observational filming, extraordinarily candid interviews and intimate, self-filmed diaries, Anorexic (w/t) 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.
The programme – filmed over several months – shows the reality of severe anorexia, up close, and across various stages of treatment for the condition. The film has been made with expert advice and input from those working with the condition. The result is a personal and powerful exploration of severe, life threatening anorexia not seen on television before.
Guy Davies, Commissioning Editor Non Scripted UK Originals Channel 5/Paramount+ says: “The team atProper Content specialises in distinctive and talked-about documentary programming, so to explore this subject as an observational ongoing story with their expertise is a unique opportunity.
“We regularly commission feature docs on social issues which go way beyond a report. What’s important here, is to hear and understand the voices of those experiencing anorexia first hand. And whilst it’s difficult to watch at times, it’s a vital story to tell.”
David Dehaney, Founder and Creative Director at Proper Content, says: “We are incredibly privileged to have worked closely with our young contributors and their families to capture the insidious nature of anorexia and its impact on everyone caught up in it. We are very proud of this film and hope it will bring understanding and action which is so urgently needed.”
Anorexic (w/t) is commissioned by Guy Davies for Channel 5, and executive produced by David Dehaney and Rachel Harvie at Proper Content. Anorexic (w/t) is filmed, Produced and Directed by Rachel Dupuy.
Jon Creamer
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