Arresting Ana

Anorexia has a positive online presence in the pro-anorexia Ana movement, which offers a nonjudgmental, supportive community through “thinspiration” and instruction for maintaining an anorexic lifestyle. The promotion of extreme thinness appears in blogs and websites with messages such as “Being thin is more important than being healthy” and “Search for perfection, and perfection is being thin.” In response, Valérie Boyer, an elected member of the French National Assembly, introduced a bill that would make online “incitement of anorexia” a crime, punishable by stiff fines and a prison sentence. In Arresting Ana, filmmaker Lucie Schwartz looks at both sides of the legislative argument while also putting a human face on the story. Viewers meet Sarah, an 18-year-old Parisian who runs a pro-Ana blog and has struggled with the condition for years. Unbelievably candid, both in interviews and in a self-shot video diary, Sarah explains why she pursues thinness, loathes her body, or feels lost without her online community. As for Boyer's globally groundbreaking legislation, Sarah says, “I don't think I'm a danger for the nation; what I do is more a danger for myself.” Beautifully shot and well edited, Arresting Ana includes comments from other women affected in some way by the condition, as well as observations from medical and academic experts. An insightful documentary exploring a complex and serious issue, this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (E. Gieschen)