My Skinny Sister, a Swedish film, delicately traces the relationship between two sisters Katja and Stella. Both sisters, bound by a shared dream of becoming the perfect figure skater. Drawn to the elegance and discipline of the sport, Stella idolizes her older sister, believing Katja’s success is the result of sheer hard work and determination. Stella begins to learn to skate alongside Katja. On the ice, a new world unfolds, one where Stella becomes captivated by her older sister’s coach.

She watches from the sidelines as Katja is admired by everyone at the rink, effortlessly commanding attention and praise. Eager to earn the same kind of admiration, Stella pushes herself harder, chasing not only her sister’s skill but the glowing spotlight that always seems to follow Katja.

Katja suddenly becomes unwell, her condition visibly deteriorating. Katja begins suffering from frequent nosebleeds, collapses during practice, and is now alarmingly thin. One night, Stella is awakened by the sound of Katja regurgitating her food in the kitchen.

Though Katja brushes off her symptoms with forced smiles and stubborn pride, the truth is catching up to not only her, but to younger sister as well.

Stella, unable to watch her sister waste away, finally breaks her silence and tells their parents. But Katja doesn’t see this as an act of love. Instead, she feels exposed, betrayed, and humiliated by her younger sister.

Director Sanna Lenken, presents an unflinching portrayal of Anorexia Nervosa. Emphasizing its corrosive impact on both the individual and their loved ones. Rather than romanizing the illness Lenken uses it to display how Katja’s beauty, talent, and drive are eroded by her disorder.

Where My Skinny Sister sets itself apart from other depictions of eating disorders is in its perspective. Rather than focusing solely on the person experiencing the illness, the film unfolds through the eyes of a young, impressionable family member. Stella, a witness to her sister’s unraveling through subtle observations: the skipped meals, the shrinking frame, the haunted expressions and the aggressive behaviours, is too struggling with her sister’s eating disorder.

She captures the quiet confessions of Katja’s disorder simply by watching someone she loves and idolizes deteriorate in the name of something they love. This shift in gaze makes the film all the more intimate and heartbreaking, allowing us to see the invisible weight eating disorders can place on those who stand just outside them.

Watch the trailer here

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Featured Image: Elana Selvig on Unsplash