Someday Melissa (2011)

The Story of an Eating Disorder, Loss and Hope.

About: “Someday Melissa” is a documentary inspired by Melissa’s journal writings and designed to raise awareness of this insidious disease. Throughout her life, even in her darkest moments, Melissa’s creativity shined through. It was always hard for her to express her feelings verbally so she used film making, writing, drawing and acting as means of self-expression.

Website. NY Times article.

I have not seen this film yet -- will add a paragraph after I have.

Black Swan (2010)

Black Swan was hard to watch. It is very dark and it is sometimes hard to relate to the characters who seem stereotypical. I suppose one would need to read "Dancing on my grave : an autobiography" by Gelsey Kirkland to judge. It's a "must see" but not an altogether pleasant experience.


See these two excellent reviews. The Movie Slut's is shorter and perhaps more helpful:

Manola Dargis NY Times Review: On Point, On Top, In Pain

Movie Slut Review: Black Swan: Deadly Dancing

Someday Melissa (2010)

A Mother Grieves by Making a Film About Bulimia
NY Times Article.

Plot Summary from the Web: "Melissa Avrin lost her five year battle with bulimia on May 6, 2009. Her mother, Judy Avrin, has since become a crusader - her mission is to expose the incidence and insidiousness of Eating Disorders with the intent of preventing further suffering so that Melissa's death was not in vain. In Melissa's Journal there was one entry that stood out from the rest. 'Someday.... I'll eat breakfast I'll keep a job for more than 3 weeks I'll have a boyfriend for more than 10 days I'll love someone I'll travel wherever I want I'll make my family proud I'll make a movie that will change lives' And so Someday Melissa was born."

DJE: I have not seen this yet -- but once it's available I'll get a copy and add a sentence or two.