CHANNEL 5 COMMISSIONS ANOREXIC w/t 

a sensitive and affecting 1 x 90’ documentary following the lives of three young women in the grip of anorexia 

LONDON Wednesday 15th February 2023: Channel 5 has commissioned an intimate and unflinching ninety minute documentary film (1 x 90’), taking viewers to the heart of the eating disorder crisis, as seen through the eyes of families in the grip of anorexia.  Anorexic (w/t) tells the ongoing story of three young women caught in the midst of this life-threatening illness at a critical phase, and their families fighting to help them save their own lives. 

A Proper Content production, the documentary reveals the day to day struggles of young women  with acute anorexia.  With the condition affecting every area of their existence, this film also explores the idea of how the ‘anorexic mind’ governs their every move. Each of the young women is at a crucial point in their struggle with the illness. For the families, supporting their loved ones is like living on a knife edge.  

 Anorexia is an eating disorder and serious mental health condition. It causes more deaths than any other psychiatric disorder. 75% of those who suffer from eating disorders are female and almost half will never make a full recovery, some may not even survive. Through observational filming, extraordinarily candid interviews and intimate, self-filmed diaries, Anorexic (w/t) is made by the same team responsible for the award-winning Channel 5 documentary Suicidal: In Our Own Words which won The Grierson Award for Best Documentary of The Year in 2020.  

The programme - filmed over several months - shows the reality of severe anorexia, up close, and across various stages of treatment for the condition. The film has been made with expert advice and input from those working with the condition. The result is a personal and powerful exploration of severe, life threatening anorexia not seen on television before. 

Guy Davies, Commissioning Editor Non Scripted UK Originals Channel 5/Paramount+ says: “The team at Proper Content specialises in distinctive and talked-about documentary programming, so to explore this subject as an observational ongoing story with their expertise is a unique opportunity.  

“We regularly commission feature docs on social issues which go way beyond a report. What’s important here, is to hear and understand the voices of those experiencing anorexia first hand. And whilst it’s difficult to watch at times, it’s a vital story to tell.” 

David Dehaney, Founder and Creative Director at Proper Content, says: “We are incredibly privileged to have worked closely with our young contributors and their families to capture the insidious nature of anorexia and its impact on everyone caught up in it. We are very proud of this film and hope it will bring understanding and action which is so urgently needed.”   

Anorexic (w/t) is commissioned by Guy Davies for Channel 5, and executive produced by David Dehaney and Rachel Harvie at Proper Content. Anorexic (w/t) is filmed, Produced and Directed by Rachel Dupuy.   

ENDS 

For more information please contact: Jamila Atta –Jamila.Atta@paramount.com   

NOTES TO EDITORS:   

About Channel 5 

Channel 5 is a public service broadcaster and the UK’s third largest commercial TV station. Launched in March 1997, Channel 5 has been part of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS) since its acquisition in September 2014. Channel 5 and its digital brands – 5STAR, 5USA, 5Select, 5ACTION and the on-demand service My5 – offer a diverse range of issue-led documentaries & popular factual celebrating the British countryside and drawing talent to the channel, accessible history, premium drama and critically-acclaimed children’s, news and current affairs programming. Through its agenda-driving commissions, Channel 5 leads on societal issues from inequality to homelessness and mental health, aiming to tell the story of modern Britain by reflecting the lives of people across the nation.  In 2018, Channel 5 won its first BAFTA for Cruising with Jane McDonald. The following year, Raped: My Story won best Single Documentary at RTS. In 2020, it won crowned Channel of the Year at the Broadcast Awards and by the RTS. In addition that year, it secured its first ever Grierson award win in the ‘Best Single Documentary – Domestic’ category with Suicidal: In Our Own Words. In 2021, it won best factual entertainment at the Broadcast Awards for Springtime on the Farm. It also won best drama at Voice of the Listener & Viewer for All Creatures Great & Small the same year.   

About Proper Content 

 Proper Content is an award-winning production company producing distinctive and talked-about factual programming. Our previous feature documentary for C5, Suicidal: In Our Own Words, won the 2020 Grierson award for Best Single Documentary.  Our programmes are often underpinned with social purpose, from The School That Tried to End Racism (C4), to Dispatches: The Black Maternity Scandal (C4) and Mental Health: Young Lives in Crisis, (BBC1), with a legacy beyond broadcast.