UK’s Channel 5 orders anorexia doc from Proper Content

Anorexic (working title)

Paramount-owned UK comcaster Channel 5 has ordered Anorexic (working title), a documentary exploring the stories of three young women who have the eating disorder.

Produced by Proper Content, the 1 x 90-minute 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. 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 comes from the same team responsible for Channel 5 documentary Suicidal: In Our Own Words, executive produced by David Dehaney and Rachel Harvie at Proper Content, and filmed, produced and directed by Rachel Dupuy.

Guy Davies, commissioning editor, non-scripted UK originals, for Channel 5 & Paramount+, said: “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.”

UK indie Proper Content, which is also behind Channel 4 series The School That Tried to End Racism and Channel 5 docuseries The Queen’s Guards, extended its first-look development deal with Banijay Rights last week, as excusively revealed by TBI.