Boyle native and London based film editor Grainne Creighton will have her first sole edited documentary hit the Irish TV screen on Monday night next.
“Anorexia, My Family and Me” is a powerful documentary, narrated by Angela Scanlon, who herself has overcome the challenges of an eating disorder. Produced by the team behind the sensitive and deeply moving “Patrick: A Young Traveller Lost”, this documentary delves into the lives of Irish families grappling with the profound effects of eating disorders.
With the latest figures showing there was an almost 20pc increase in the number of people using of the support services offered by Bodywhys: the Eating Disorders Association of Ireland last year, this urgent documentary contains unprecedented access to unfolding stories, presenting the raw and emotional experiences of families across the country, offering a deeply personal look at the realities of living with this most fatal of mental health conditions.
At the heart of the film, we meet the Poole-Williams family from Wicklow. Their story highlights the challenges parents face in seeking help for their children as we follow Mum Jenny, fighting tirelessly to secure treatment for her 16-year-old son, Josh, who is consistently losing weight as he battles the devastating grip of anorexia.
Busting commonly held misconceptions around those who suffer from the condition we meet the Blake family from Swords. 42-year-old father of four Sean Blake has battled anorexia for over a decade. His struggle with the disorder, including an addiction to running, nearly consumed him before he found the life-saving help he desperately needed. We follow his tentative steps in his recovery journey.
We also follow 36-year-old Amanda and her mother Doreen. Suffering with the condition for over a decade, we are on Amanda’s shoulder as she lives with the constant debilitating daily reality of anorexia. Her condition is so entrenched that she is often on the verge of hospitalisation, offering a stark reminder of the life-threatening nature of the disorder.
Anorexia, My Family and Me features insights from leading experts in the field. Dr. Kielty Oberlin and Harriet Parsons from Bodywhys: The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland, provide a wider perspective on the issue, unpacking for the audience both the complexity of this illness, and the struggles families face when trying to access care for their loved ones. They explore the systemic barriers that make it so difficult for many to get the treatment they need, but their insight into potential treatments offers hope that recovery is possible with the right support.
Angela Scanlon’s intimate narration, informed by her own personal experience, adds a unique layer of empathy and authenticity to the documentary. Her voice is a beacon of hope, reminding audiences that recovery is attainable, even in the darkest moments.
This documentary strikes at the heart of the issue, shining a light on the real life emotional toll eating disorders take on individuals and their families while offering hope and raising awareness. Anorexia, My Family and Me is not just a film; it is a call to action, demanding a deeper understanding of one of the most complex mental health issues affecting families across the country.
London based Grainne is a successful film editor with many films and documentaries to her name.
She edited the highly acclaimed documentary ‘Patrick: A Young Traveller Lost’ that shed a light on the urgent and sensitive issue of the suicide rates among the Irish Traveller community.
Grainne also edited the documentary “Sean”, that explored the life of the legendary GAA manager Sean Boylan and was also broadcast on RTE One.
Gráinne is daughter of Eddie and Sylvia who run the successful and highly popular licensed premises – Creightons – in Boyle.
