Embracing the message of positive body image
In a generation dominated by social media, selfies and the perfect look, documentary film “Embrace” is forcing people to accept health over weight and value their body image.
When body image activist Taryn Brumfitt posted an unconventional before-and-after photograph in 2013, it was seen by more than 100 million people worldwide and sparked an international media frenzy.
Her documentary film Embrace is now forcing people to have a long overdue social discussion about body image.
Warragul’s Nigel Beck became an “honorary” member of Women in Gippsland after approaching the group to support the screening of “Embrace” in Warragul and Morwell.
For his daughter Chloe, Embrace is all about the conversation and change in attitude that needs to happen.
“For dad, it is something that is close to his heart and he has seen what I have been through,” she said.
The 28-year-old admits body image is something that has affected her life for a number of years and she wants women, and men, to love and accept their bodies and appearances.
A flight attendant, Chloe said she works in an industry where personal grooming was important.
But she also knows the struggles and mental and physical pressure that people put on themselves to achieve what they believe is an accepted body image.
Historically, Chloe said body image had been a female concern but it also was about the way men see themselves. She said the movie delivered important messages for body image as a whole, for men and women, and also encouraged parents to take their teenage children along.
“It is also about the way boys see girls and the things they say.
“We need to get the conversation started about creating a more positive image in younger generations,” Chloe said.
Women in Gippsland’s Laura Higgins said Nigel was extremely passionate about the issue.
“He wanted to have a voice and use it as a platform to get this message out there,” she said.
Laura, who works for Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) said it was really important for people to feel accepted by their community and feel positive about who they are.
She said the movie also was about respectful relationships because men needed to know how to say the right things.
WIG member Erika McInerney said selfconfidence, selfworth and how women feel about themselves was so important in domestic violence and sexual assault.
“People are coming together and having the conversations and hopefully this allows families to have this conversation.
“This is a selfie generation of being able to filter and edit (photographs). It’s becoming so important that the image they put out there is perfect, but no-one is perfect,” she said.
The screenings also will include premovie addresses by a dietician, personal trainer and psychologist.
Local dietician Lizzie O’Callaghan said too many people tried to fight their body image through diet, excessive exercise and sometimes surgery because they think those things will make them feel better about themselves, but often it is worse.
The message Lizzie delivers is a “health in every size” message.
“We focus on healthy change rather than losing weight.
Lizzie said good body acceptance was vital to good mental and physical health, “Otherwise we just punishing ourselves,” she said.
Embrace will screen at Morwell on Monday August 29 and Warragul on Monday, September 5. Tickets are available through links on the Women in Gippsland Facebook page or go on line to fan-force.com