Embrace

Aussie mum of three Taryn Brumfitt caused something of a Facebook furore in 2013 when she posted a "before and after" picture of herself. By rejecting her sculpted post-pregnancy body (the "before" shot) in favour of a return to her natural, more zaftig figure (the "after" shot), it not only attracted typically unsavoury online invective, but also encouraged women (and some men) to admit their anxiety over the pursuit of the "perfect body". Saddened - many women regarded their everyday appearance as "disgusting" - but also inspired by the response, Brumfitt wrote and directed this revealing film documenting her global study of body image issues. Fashion magazines, cosmetic surgery, anorexia and plus-size clothing are explored while TV hosts like Ricki Lake and Amanda de Cadenet share their experiences alongside such inspirational people as bushfire burns victim Turia Pitt. It's no cutting-edge documentary but it is refreshingly informative (you'll never guess which country is the nose-job centre of the world) and Brumfitt's ebullient, almost guileless approach prevents the film from turning into a sermon.