Releasing the Grip of an Eating Disorder

MEDIA RELEASE AUGUST 28, 2018

Releasing the Grip of an Eating Disorder: What it’s really like

A new documentary made by young Kiwi film-makers will resonate with the thousands of New Zealanders who have lived with the hell of an eating disorder.

Disorder, an intimate insight into the perspectives of New Zealanders who have lived with disordered eating, is one of six short films by emerging film-makers commissioned by charitable trust The Outlook for Someday.

Seven young people share their journeys from despair to acceptance after long, dark periods of disordered eating patterns and self-loathing.

The thoughtfully-told stories reveal the fragility of children and teens, and the damage triggered by seemingly innocuous comments such as “We don’t stock clothes in your size” or “You don’t need any more potatoes, you’re getting too big”.

One young woman describes rubbing concealer into her knees to mask the orange tint caused by her obsession with eating carrots and pumpkin, while another recalls the horror of being held down by security guards upon admission to hospital for anorexia nervosa.

Actor Jack Barry, best-known in New Zealand as Tank Reid in Shortland Street, shares his painful his struggle with body image, tracing it back to when the All Blacks changing from loose shirts to tight shirts. “I did not look like that when I wore a tight top.”

Jack, now healthy and working in both New Zealand and Los Angeles, and all his fellow documentary subjects are now in recovery.

The team consulted with specialist Kellie Lavender from NZ Eating Disorder Clinic in preparation for the documentary, to ensure the process was safe and supportive for all involved.

Disorder is the work of Auckland-based production company Two One One Three Creatives. It is one of the Someday Stories series of sustainability-focused short films by emerging young film-makers from Aotearoa New Zealand.

You can watch Disorder on Facebook and Vimeo

Someday Stories are produced by Connected Media with support from NZ On Air, Te Māngai Pāho and the New Zealand Film Commission in association with Stuff, Māori Television, The Wireless, and Coconet TV.

Disorder

Rating: M

Directed by Miryam Jacobi

Produced by Olivia Mahood

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