Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this DVD, free of charge,from Edify media, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it, all opinions are my own.
The Student Body follows the inspiring story of a shy high school student turned brave journalist,who seeks justice for her peers. In many states throughout the country, lawmakers have passed controversial mandates forcing schools to perform body mass index (BMI) tests on students.What soon followed sparked a heated national debate. Coined the “Fat Letters” by students,notification letters were sent to kids whose body mass did not fall within a narrowly acceptable range; essentially telling children, even as young as kindergarteners, that they are fat.
When a determined sixth-grader in Ohio voices her protest against the letters, student journalist Bailey Webber is inspired to take up her fight. Convinced that her fellow students are being unfairly profiled and bullied by the government, Bailey's investigation soon turns into a battle of wills between herself and the bureaucrats who passed the law.
THE STUDENT BODY is a true underdog story of two brave girls who take a stand against government hypocrisy, while exploring the complex and controversial truths of the childhood obesity debate.
Trailer:
Review:
Obviously having a film-maker Dad (The Elephant in the Living Room's Michael Webber), was a huge help for Bailey, as he was able to offer advice and assistance on the making of a local documentary about the hidden government bullying issue. What neither of them expected was what far reaching effects the film could have, as it spreads and lands her into the national debate, showing the HUMAN side of the equation that the government lawmakers were forgetting, until she reminded them by putting them in the place of the kids they wanted tested,
The lawmakers reactions are telling in more ways than one! It is insane to think that the government with all the ant- bullying rheoteric in place, couldn't see how labeling kids obese via a BMI/weight chart that didn't take into account their eating, activities or medical issues, was a proper thing to do. But as so often in the case with government, things don't make sense,
What the documentary ends up showing is more than just how an idea can not be properly researched before it becomes law, but how the process still works for each of us to stand up for what is right, and to fight to have bad laws removed. Even if you are just a teenager! It's a great documentary for parents and kids alike to watch together, and then discuss the issues and actions, and how they can work together to fight them in your local community!
About Michael Webber
Michael Webber is a critically acclaimed filmmaker and director of the runaway hit documentary The Elephant in the Living Room. The film was praised by critics as one of the best films of the year, winning 5 Best Documentary awards and opening as the #1 independent film in the US. Michael has been guest on countless radio and television talk-shows around the country including appearances on The Today Show, ABC World News Tonight, NBC Nightly News and Nightline. He was also the subject of an ABC 20/20 special by Emmy Award-Winning journalist Jay Schradler
About Bailey Webber
Bailey Webber is a student investigative journalist, writer and co-director of The Student Body. Her story of courage and activism has been featured in numerous newspaper and online articles. Bailey has been honored by the National Association of University Women for her advocacy work, has won an Independent Spirit Award for her film and is an ambassador for the National Eating Disorders Association. As an up and coming public speaker she has appeared as guest on several television and radio shows. The Student Body is her directorial debut.
Today I have another great movie, from Edify Media,
that is out on DVD to share with you, and your kids!
Winner of the 2016 Independent Spirit Award, this ground-breaking new film tackles the heated topic of childhood obesity while shining a critical light on the government's ill-conceived efforts to solve this global epidemic
Synopsis:
The Student Body follows the inspiring story of a shy high school student turned brave journalist,who seeks justice for her peers. In many states throughout the country, lawmakers have passed controversial mandates forcing schools to perform body mass index (BMI) tests on students.What soon followed sparked a heated national debate. Coined the “Fat Letters” by students,notification letters were sent to kids whose body mass did not fall within a narrowly acceptable range; essentially telling children, even as young as kindergarteners, that they are fat.
When a determined sixth-grader in Ohio voices her protest against the letters, student journalist Bailey Webber is inspired to take up her fight. Convinced that her fellow students are being unfairly profiled and bullied by the government, Bailey's investigation soon turns into a battle of wills between herself and the bureaucrats who passed the law.
THE STUDENT BODY is a true underdog story of two brave girls who take a stand against government hypocrisy, while exploring the complex and controversial truths of the childhood obesity debate.
Trailer:
Review:
Obviously having a film-maker Dad (The Elephant in the Living Room's Michael Webber), was a huge help for Bailey, as he was able to offer advice and assistance on the making of a local documentary about the hidden government bullying issue. What neither of them expected was what far reaching effects the film could have, as it spreads and lands her into the national debate, showing the HUMAN side of the equation that the government lawmakers were forgetting, until she reminded them by putting them in the place of the kids they wanted tested,
The lawmakers reactions are telling in more ways than one! It is insane to think that the government with all the ant- bullying rheoteric in place, couldn't see how labeling kids obese via a BMI/weight chart that didn't take into account their eating, activities or medical issues, was a proper thing to do. But as so often in the case with government, things don't make sense,
What the documentary ends up showing is more than just how an idea can not be properly researched before it becomes law, but how the process still works for each of us to stand up for what is right, and to fight to have bad laws removed. Even if you are just a teenager! It's a great documentary for parents and kids alike to watch together, and then discuss the issues and actions, and how they can work together to fight them in your local community!
About Michael Webber
Michael Webber is a critically acclaimed filmmaker and director of the runaway hit documentary The Elephant in the Living Room. The film was praised by critics as one of the best films of the year, winning 5 Best Documentary awards and opening as the #1 independent film in the US. Michael has been guest on countless radio and television talk-shows around the country including appearances on The Today Show, ABC World News Tonight, NBC Nightly News and Nightline. He was also the subject of an ABC 20/20 special by Emmy Award-Winning journalist Jay Schradler
About Bailey Webber
Bailey Webber is a student investigative journalist, writer and co-director of The Student Body. Her story of courage and activism has been featured in numerous newspaper and online articles. Bailey has been honored by the National Association of University Women for her advocacy work, has won an Independent Spirit Award for her film and is an ambassador for the National Eating Disorders Association. As an up and coming public speaker she has appeared as guest on several television and radio shows. The Student Body is her directorial debut.
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