Wednesday,
February 15 - 7:30pm
Italy
2004. Director: Matteo Garrone.
Cast: Michela Cescon, Vitaliano Trevisan, Roberto Comacchio
Love, domination, self-esteem and eating disorders are
at the heart of First Love, a harrowing psychological drama based
on a true story about a thoroughly dysfunctional relationship.
When Sonia (Michela Cescon) is told on a blind date by the otherwise charming Vittorio (Vitaliano Trevisan) that he thought she'd be thinner, she lacks the self-reliance to end their relationship before it begins. Instead, the two start dating and soon move in together, living in virtual isolation in the country outside of Verona. The older, balding Vittorio cajoles the already thin Sonia into losing weight and, using a chart to keep track of her decreasing size, he monitors her every bite — to the point of weighing bags of food to make sure she's not eating when he's not home. Trying desperately hard to please Vittorio, Sonia's lack of food results in both physical and psychological debilitation. Colour, 35mm, in Italian with English subtitles. 100 mins.
Frames of Mind is a monthly film event run utilizing film and video to promote professional and community education on issues pertaining to mental health and illness.
Few actresses have so daringly
bared themselves (literally) in such a vulnerable way. As
Vittorio, Trevisan manages to be both malevolent and sympathetic, which
is also no mean trick
Russell Edwards, Variety
Post-screening discussion with Dr. Laird Birmingham, Director of the Eating Disorders Program at the UBC Department of Psychiatry and Director of the B.C. Provincial Eating Disorders Program.
Moderated by Dr. Harry Karlinsky, Director of Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.
Co-sponsored by the B.C. Provincial Eating Disorders Program
The media sponsor of Frames of Mind is The Ubyssey.
Categories: eating disorders
