Channel 5 Orders New Hard Hitting Documentary “Anorexic”

A 90-minute documentary film commissioned by Channel 5 will take viewers into the homes of those struggling with anorexia and provide an unvarnished look at the epidemic of eating disorders. Anorexic (w/t) follows three young women who are in the throes of this potentially fatal condition at a turning point, as well as the efforts of their family to assist them recover.

The documentary, which was produced by Proper Content, follows a group of young women as they deal with the effects of an acute case of anorexia. The film delves into the concept of how the ‘anorexic mentality’ controls every aspect of the anorexic’s life. The young women are all at pivotal points in their battles against the disease. Families are walking a tightrope in order to provide for their loved ones.

Anorexia is a severe mental illness and eating problem. It’s the leading mental health problem responsible for death worldwide. 75% of people with eating disorders are female, and over 50% will never achieve a full recovery; others may not even survive. Produced by the same team that brought you the acclaimed Channel 5 documentary Suicidal: In Our Own Words, which took home the Grierson Award for Best Documentary of the Year in 2020, Anorexic (w/t) uses observational filming, extraordinarily candid interviews, and intimate, self-filmed diaries to explore the issue of eating disorders.

Filmed over the course of several months, the program provides an intimate look into severe anorexia and the many stages of recovery. The film was created with the help of professionals who are familiar with the issue. As a result, we get an intimate and impactful look at a level of life-threatening anorexia rarely seen in the media.

Guy Davies, Commissioning Editor Non Scripted UK Originals Channel 5/Paramount+ says: “The team at Proper 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, adds: “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.