Slim Chances, the four-minute short film directed and written by Asia Bonetto, explores the harmful effects of eating disorders. Living in a poky apartment is a young woman who, by all appearances, adheres to a routine. The camera steadily moves through the apartment to reveal a calendar documenting daily workouts, sticky notes specifying the calories in foods, and exercise equipment on the floor. The camera ominously pans to the left to reveal the young woman throwing up in the toilet.
The camera’s slow movement as it explores the confined space, in addition to the foreboding sound design, is reminiscent of a horror movie. The protagonist appears isolated as she stares at herself in the mirror and doesn’t seem to like what she sees. But that is what having an eating disorder can be like. Since people with eating disorders feel detached from their physical appearance, they engage in unhealthy behaviors (vomiting, overexercising, unsustainable diets). With that said, the causes of an eating disorder are decidedly complex.
“…a calendar documenting daily workouts, sticky notes specifying the calories in foods, and exercise equipment on the floor.”
Portraying the complexity of having an eating disorder is Isabel Ceron. With no dialogue and no other actors on-screen, Ceron gives an exceedingly nuanced performance. At one point, Ceron opens the fridge and grabs an apple. She smells the apple but then proceeds to put it back. Ceron doesn’t exaggerate this action.
Slim Chances is a brief snapshot of somebody living with an eating disorder just trying to get through the day. As a result, Bonetto’s drama is somber and upsetting yet unequivocally raw and candid. But, more importantly, the film supplies insight into the symptoms of eating disorders.
"…somber, upsetting, yet unequivocally raw and candid."
