Embrace

This rousing documentary by Australian body image activist Taryn Brumfitt should prove a most effective tool in her popular campaign to counteract the gazillion pressures on Western women and girls to fixate on appearance. She traces her project back to the epiphany she experienced while contemplating cosmetic surgery for her post-baby body. She subsequently posted an unconventional before-and-after photo spread: Taryn in her earlier, competitive body-builder role alongside her after photo, a plump, delighted mother of three. This was seen by more than 100 million worldwide and sparked international approval and media attention. Following on, she set about crowdfunding this documentary, in which she travels the world to interview diverse women about body image. These include Mia Freedman, the youngest ever editor of Australian Cosmopolitan; talk-show hosts Ricki Lake and Amanda de Cadenet; body image blogger Jes Baker (aka The Militant Baker); and motivational speaker Turia Pitt. All ages, shapes and sizes are included in the films empowering embrace.