Documentary to explore the marketing of unattainable beauty and body dissatisfaction around the world, followed by panel discussion with director, experts
The pursuit of the perfect body has taken a central role in the lives of women, men, girls and boys in the U.S. and across the globe. “The Illusionists,” directed by Elena Rossini and co-sponsored by The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt, will host an exclusive advanced screening and panel discussion in Towson from 2 – 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 7.
The film is much-anticipated in the U.S., and has been reviewed by outlets such as VOGUE Italia, Daily Life Australia, IndieWire, Rolling Stone Italy and others.
Similar in style to “Food, Inc. and “Inside Job,” the feature-length film includes interviews with sociologists, historians, media critics, magazine editors, marketing executives and fashion photographers, as it explores a balanced view of the commodification of the body, and the influence corporations have on body image and self-perception. Experts featured are from the U.S., Europe, India and East Asia.
Rossini’s hope is for “The Illusionists” to be seen as a platform for discussion and activism around issues of body image, so that individuals may become more empowered consumers.
“This film has the potential to get people thinking and talking about the media’s impact on how we think, act and consume, not just as individuals but as a global community,” said Dr. Steven Crawford, co-director of The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt. “We got involved in this project early on, and very much support the film’s exploration of body image as it can serve as a mechanism for education and social change.”
Following the June 7 screening, Rossini and a panel of experts from the fields of marketing, media literacy and body image, will discuss the film and field questions from the audience. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Crawford.
Attendance is free, but space is limited and will fill quickly. Register by visiting www.eatingdisorder.org/events to secure your spot.
The screening will take place at The Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt, at 6501 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21204. Follow the signs upon entrance, or call reception for instructions at 410-938-3900. Doors open at 1:15 pm. The film will begin at 2 p.m., followed by the panel discussion.
For more information, visit www.eatingdisorder.org.
About The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt
The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt (CED) offers comprehensive, individualized care for children, adolescents and adults with eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and compulsive eating. Its comprehensive continuum of care includes inpatient, day hospital, and intensive outpatient services, as well as ongoing outpatient treatment, and is designed to respond to both the psychiatric and medical aspects of eating disorders. As a national leader in evidence-based treatment since 1989, CED provides highly specialized individual, group, family, occupational, art and nutrition therapies and a continuum of eating disorder treatment programs and care that is not found anywhere else in Maryland or surrounding states.
About Sheppard Pratt
Sheppard Pratt is the largest private, nonprofit provider of mental health, substance use, developmental disability, special education, and social services in the country. A nationwide resource, Sheppard Pratt provides services across a comprehensive continuum of care, spanning both hospital- and community-based resources. Since its founding in 1853, Sheppard Pratt has been innovating the field through research, best practice implementation, and a focus on improving the quality of mental health care on a global level. Sheppard Pratt has been consistently recognized as a top national psychiatric hospital by U.S. News & World Report for more than 30 years.