Surely we are all convinced that films are the perfect tool for discussing delicate issues with young people? If there is currently one film out there that meets that recommendation, it must be LIVING LARGE (by Kristina Dufkova), which tackles – besides the main issue of eating disorders – many tricky topics. This, according to the producers, called for a study guide, written by experts.
According to Slovakian producer Agata Novinski, LIVING LARGE (which has collected numerous festival awards, including an ECFA Award at the Just Film festival) is first and foremost a film about self-acceptance and self-love. “As a mother of a 10-year-old, I want her and her peers to learn to love themselves. Growing up in a post-socialist country like Czechoslovakia, self-love was seen as something negative. We had to learn it much later, which had a lasting impact on who we are as adults.”
But that is just the beginning; bullying, obesity and parent-child relationships are also covered. Therefore – in a country without school screening traditions – it was felt an urgent need to provide a study guide to accompany the film. This tool for teachers explains how to use the film as a springboard to open discussions about sensitive issues that young people face nowadays. The writing was left to experts: a team of psychologists specialising in child psychology. Novinski: “The study guide can spark conversations about Ben’s motivation to lose weight – or about motivation in general. It’s a well-crafted tool created by qualified professionals who found the right tone to speak to young people. A lot of care went into that.”
Producers from both the Czech Republic and Slovakia are keen for local distributors to benefit from their effort and are willing to share the experts’ findings with European partners, with Agata Novinski as your contact point.