film intent

Body dysmorphia affects at least 2% of the population in the UK, transcending age, gender, and cultural barriers. It is not simply about low body confidence or fleeting dissatisfaction—it is a pervasive mental health condition that impacts our entire perception of self.

Our understanding of this issue is deeply personal and profoundly informed by months of interviews with individuals aged 18 to 60 who battle eating disorders and body dysmorphia. These conversations revealed a collective frustration: many wished they had known earlier what body dysmorphia was. Almost all expressed disappointment at how these struggles are portrayed on screen—often glamorised or misunderstood.

Through Ephemeral, we aim to raise awareness by exploring the depths of consciousness and shining a light on the societal pressures imposed on us: dictating what we should look like, what is healthy or unhealthy, what is ugly or beautiful. These ideals are driven by unattainable standards and relentless body shaming.

We want to portray body dysmorphia and binge eating, an often overlooked eating disorder in media. Our goal is for the audience to experience, visually and emotionally, the mental and physical toll of these conditions. We know this intimately, as we also live with them.

Ephemeral serves as a reminder that no one else can fix our issues but ourselves. We must learn to be happy on our own before finding happiness with others. Self-work begins and ends with us, and though the journey is difficult—at times, excruciating—it is possible. This film is a message of hope and perseverance.

We want the audience to watch Ephemeral and think, "Yes, that’s it, that is exactly how I feel in that moment." This is the essence of “The Creature,” a manifestation of Mia’s mental health. The Creature is not frightening but childlike, embodying confusion and vulnerability. It reflects the bewildering experience of body dysmorphia—why do we despise the body that sustains our life?

Through Ephemeral, we hope to create an honest, resonant depiction of these struggles, fostering understanding and connection while inspiring self-compassion and resilience.