The Edible Digest (page 2, click for page 1)
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VIDEO REVIEWS: MADE FOR T.V. MOVIES
• The Best Little Girl In The World
The first one on anorexia, an ABC t.v. movie, based on the book, starring a young Jennifer Jason Leigh, with a bit part played by a teenage Ally Sheedy. Rumor says that the anorexic the lead character meets in the hospital was an actress who really had anorexia at the time. NOTE: This video is sometimes available to rent and I received an e-mail from someone who bought this video on Amazon.com recently, so if you are looking for it... try amazon.com! I don't know where to get other titles... sorry!
• The Karen Carpenter Story
The original t.v. movie about Karen Carpenter's music and anorexia. Rumor says that the body double who's skeletal back is shown during a doctor's visit was a struggling anorexic patient who later died (after the movie aired).
• Kate's Secret
The first t.v. movie on bulimia, starring Meredith Baxter Burney. This movie was credited to bringing many housewives out of the closet with their bulimia.
• A Secret Among Friends
A 1990's t.v. movie based on a true story, two friends who conspire together to diet and develop eating disorders, starring a young female actress who admits to had once struggled with disordered eating. This movie deals with the same issue I discuss in the section Table For Two, about the peer pressure in eating disorders.
• For The Love Of Nancy
A 1990's t.v. movie based on true story of Nancy Walsh, sued by her parents for medical incompetence, starring former anorexic Tracey Gold. The real Nancy Walsh appeared on an Oprah show (with Tracey Gold) and has been in recovery for many years. Another guest on that same show, Rudine, sadly died a year later.
• Perfect Body
A 1990's t.v. movie about gymnast who develops anorexia. Many famous gymnasts have come out publically regarding their disordered eating. Gymnast Christy Henrich died at the young age of 22 from anorexia. An interesting book, titled "Little Girls In Pretty Boxes" discusses Christy's gym career and death.
• Sharing The Secret
Recently on CBS (aired May 10, 2000), this movie dealt with a child psychiatrist's daughter whose three year battle with bulimia is finally found out with the daughter becomes ill. I thought it was well done, considering the many family and school stressors that can cause eating disorders. The way the camera and music depicts one of her purging episodes (in which she experiences a "high" of sorts) was very powerful and seemed accurate. Thanks to CBS for tackling this issue.
• Dying To Dance
An upcoming NBC t.v. movie, look for it airing sometime in the fall or winter, my guess is it is based on Heidi Gunther's life, a ballet dancer who died two years ago from disordered eating. Hedi was not the first ballerina to die from anorexia...
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VIDEO REVIEWS: NOT MADE FOR T.V. MOVIES
There is hope that more videos on eating disorders will become available and affordable, I spoke with the Gurze books folks and they are hopeful to carry more videos in the future. It shocks me how educational aides are so expensive and hard to find, if you know of other videos or how to get copies please e-mail me and I will share that information with others!
• The Famine Within by Kathrine Gilday
Amazing documentary on eating disorders and the politics of the body. This should be a mandatory watch for all women. My dream would be if all the high school health classes had to show it each semester, I think it would effect a lot of people and open some eyes. This title is expensive but available to BUY, though not available to rent, but it airs on PBS every so often.
• Eating by Henry Jacolm
Great, doctumentary-style movie about women and eating disorders and how at all ages women struggle to love their bodies. You can try to RENT this movie at local video store, it's not too hard to find.
• In Our Own Words:
A documentary on eating disorders [Gurze has this!] First hand accounts of bulimia and anorexia, has some good diversity in that a male and a lesbian are included. Very sad because the woman who decided to make the video did so because she was dying of anorexia (she had starved so long she was considered 'fatal' at the point of making the film and did die shortly thereafter). This also makes it a powerful documentary to watch. This title is available to BUY through the Gurze catalog, not available to rent, but it is affordable, unlike most of the documentary and educational films.
• Killing Us Softly:
A documentary on how the media influence's negative body image and thus encourages eating disorders, there is also a part two. This title is expensive but available to BUY, though not available to rent, but it airs on PBS every so often, along with the sequel, it is a cool teaching aide
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