Documenting Norwegian photographer Lene Marie Fossen and her struggle with anorexia, Self Portrait provides audiences with an intimate look at the work of this photographer but also with the ravages of this disorder. Anorexia is an eating disorder centered on a distorted body image resulting in a fear of gaining weight leading to low body weight. Fossen's struggles with this disease started at the age of ten resulting in her never going through puberty and remaining childlike in her appearance. Within the ever-present anorexic condition, Fossen creates exceptionally intimate and striking fine art photography through her work on the island of Chios in Greece or with refugee children from Lesbos. But it is the self-portraits that highlight her striking use of lighting and composition.
Fossen states in the film that her disease is “a slow suicide” which unfortunately comes true as she was able to see the completed film but then passed away at the age of 33. While her parents sought help for her when she was younger, given her condition, more input from her parents and even a medical professional with experience in treating this condition could add more context for viewers.
This is a devasting story of Fossen’s battle with anorexia and the startling images of her disease through her photography and the documentation of her life through the film. The film will have two audiences for those familiar with her artistic work as a photographer but also for those looking at the disease of anorexia. The film is well-paced and engaging. There are some issues with the readability of subtitles as the words are washed out with the images on the screen. Given the focus on Fossen, this film is appropriate for developing collections supporting fine arts and specifically photography as well as library collections supporting psychology, women’s health, and anorexia. Educators should view beforehand in order to determine whether or not it would be triggering to screen for health and wellness organizations. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P.
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