OUTLOOK - A powerful documentary spotlighting people who've been battling eating disorders was a hit in Outlook last week.
Those with the BridgePoint Center for Eating Disorder Recovery facility in Milden welcomed a host of guests to the Reel Theatre on Thursday, September 26 for a special screening of the documentary film, 'RecoverED', which takes a look at the work being done at the center to help those who are battling eating disorders, and the film also puts a spotlight on several people who are going through these harmful stages of their lives.
Complete with decorations outside the theatre before showtime, as well as a food truck offering eats and even an Elvis tribute artist belting out tunes, guests were literally given the red carpet treatment upon entering the cinema before the screening.
Before the film was shown, each patient in BridgePoint's programming who'd taken part in filming was welcomed to the front of the theatre by program director Lauralyn Blackburn, where they each received an 'Academy Award' for their participation before taking part in a panel discussion. Each person gave their perspective on what the program gave them, and for many, the end result was both an emotional and cathartic experience.
The participants were asked to complete the statement of, "Recovery is..." and each response gave a look into the window of what the Milden-based facility provides the people that take part in its programming.
For these people, recovery is - "life", "not a specific place", "different for all of us", "hard work", "worth it", "messy and beautiful at the same time", and "hard and possible".
It was pointed out that the creation of such a facility spotlighting the impact of eating disorders, as well as the creation of a documentary film highlighting the work being done at BridgePoint, isn't just a moment in time, but rather a movement that is gaining steady upward momentum.
With that, the 50-minute documentary by filmmaker Tyler Anderson was shown, and by the time the screen faded to black and it had concluded, loud applause rang out in the Outlook theatre. As a documentary piece, the film takes a deep look at the vulnerabilities associated with eating disorders and the realities that people have to contend with on a daily basis.
After the screening, special guest Tim McLeod, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions spoke on behalf of the provincial government, giving his thoughts on the film and how it spotlights the harm that eating disorders can have on people and the very real need for programming such as what BridgePoint offers people who need that kind of due care and attention. McLeod reminded everyone that the government was granting BridgePoint with a $215,000 funding increase in order to expand its virtual care programming, bringing the total government funding to more than $815,000 annually.
As well, the work done behind the scenes at the facility on a daily basis and the person who helped spearhead the creation of the documentary was recognized as the entire theatre applauded Carla Chabot, BridgePoint's executive director.
Seen as only the beginning of the story of BridgePoint, filmmaker Anderson told the crowd that he made the film for people "who need to see it most" in a post-screening panel.
Guests continued to mingle and visit after the event, giving their thoughts on the film and the potential that it carries. It's expected that the documentary will be entered into a number of film festivals and competitions in the coming months.
