Posted by wood_wire on November 16, 2006, at 15:42:30 [reposted on November 18, 2006, at 16:52:02 | original URL]
In reply to ANAD's position on the film, posted by Racer on November 16, 2006, at 14:27:32
another one for the record....
Renfrew's Position on the Documentary “Thin”
The Renfrew Center was the setting for the groundbreaking documentary “Thin,” premiering November 14th on HBO. Directed by acclaimed photographer Lauren Greenfield, who has chronicled the topic of eating disorders in the past, the film takes viewers on an emotional and at times harrowing journey. It gives them the opportunity to experience the illness first-hand through the stories of four women.
We made the decision to participate in this project because we believe “Thin” will spread awareness about eating disorders and help the public better understand this complex and often misunderstood disease. We have experienced first-hand how news media stories help to shed light on this topic and often prompt individuals in need of treatment, or their families, to come forward and seek help.
Before filming began, patients were fully informed about the project and consent was obtained from those who chose to participate. Staff developed a separate treatment track where cameras were allowed to ensure the privacy of those patients who chose not to participate or were not approved clinically. Our professional team met with both groups of patients on a daily basis to help process the project. Patients who were participating were given the opportunity to stop the cameras at any point during the process. In addition, during the course of the filming both patients and staff exercised the right to remove cameras from sensitive therapy sessions.
After hundreds of hours of filming many patients over a 6-month period, Lauren Greenfield and HBO chose the four women who were ultimately highlighted in the film, without any input from Renfrew.
As is often the case, in order to tell a compelling story, “Thin” simplified the treatment process and focused on highly dramatic moments centering on food and symptoms rather than on the nurturing relationships staff have with patients. Many important elements of our treatment program are entirely omitted or minimally included – such as group therapy, dance and movement, psychodrama, and art therapy.
The potential for real and lasting recovery is not evident in this documentary. If the film highlighted more than 4 patients in our community, viewers would have seen a much more hopeful outcome on recovery. At Renfrew we know that recovery is possible and does happen, as it has for many of the 45,000 patients we have treated over the past 21 years.
Despite its limitations, “Thin” still makes a valuable contribution to the public dialogue on eating disorders. We encourage you to use this film to initiate discussion of eating disorders as a life-threatening, public health issue.
1-800-RENFREW • www.renfrewcenter.com
Residential & Outpatient Programs For Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating & Body Image Issues
Philadelphia & Bryn Mawr, PA • Ft. Lauderdale, FL • New York City • Northern NJ • Southern CT
poster:wood_wire
thread:697831
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/eating/20060628/msgs/704961.html