The Portrayal of Eating Disorders in To the Bone and Feed

Abstract

In my thesis I attempt to explore how the two films Feed and To the Bone portray the main characters' anorexia enrvosa, as well as the complexity of reasons and circumstances behind developing an eating disorder. Both Olivia and Ellen has their own struggles and grew up in a difficult family, which greatly influences their mental health. Feed shows how suffering a traumatic event, grief and perfectionism can contribute to developing an eating disorder. On the other hand, To the Bone is centred more on social media and its negative effects on its users' mental health. It also focuses on divorced parents and foster mothers.