Cora’s aversion to eating spirals out of control to the point that she considers herself allergic to all foods even parsley. While at dinner at her sister’s she has a few bites of a bizarre vegetarian dish and runs to the toilet to induce vomiting.
Her condition worsens. Her GP does not share her thoughts on a mass food allergy diagnosing her nasty rash as eczema caused by stress and prescribes hydrocortisone. Then consulting with Dr. Google, Cora watches “Joanna” espousing light therapy as a cure for eating disorders. Who needs food if you have the sun which offers all the nourishment you require? Incredibly ridiculous and dangerous but desperation often nullifies logic so off thirtyish Cora (Amy Forsyth) leaves Vancouver taking the ferry to Saturna Island to join a community of like minded desperados hanging on to the ridiculous flummox spewed by Joanna (Susanne Wuest).
Arriving at the community Joanna offers Cora her “last meal” but she self induces vomiting and her last meal never reaches her stomach. Even when Cora pikes some food leftovers from a child (Joanna believes growing children require nourishment) of a community member she expels it out and that terrible rash spreads rather strange as no food is consumed so how could there be an allergic reaction to it?
A veritable commune like that one portrayed in “Easy Rider” but at least in that commune they ate! I found it a bit strange that for those who don’t eat they all look rather well fed. Could that loaf of bread hidden in the tool shed found by Cora be evidence of widespread cheating?
Early on Cora is warned by a banished community member the entire “community” is founded by lies. Then a fatal tragedy strikes despite the faith by the community that Joanna knows everything and a doctor is not required.
Is Joanna an evil swindler? Hmm she looks very fit for a person who does not eat food. Criminal negligence?
Is Cora doomed or has she found refuge only to return to her death. Is that what transpires to both start and conclude the film?
Aside from the personal struggle of Cora the film is an interesting glimpse at the onset of bulimia nervosa and its psychological profile.
Wuest proffers a steely performance making some good “marketing sense” at times but mostly it is flakey palaver. She delivers a solid chilling performance bordering on a psychopath and a genuinely misguided prophet. Forsyth fits in well with the starry-eyed youngster community members. An excellent portrayal of a reluctant not fully convinced character.
Directed by Elizabeth Cairns.
Shows next on 29September2024 at the Vancouver International Film Festival.
RKS 2024 Film Rating 83/100.
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 