Story
Taryn Brumfitt, writer, director and founder of the Body Image Movement, takes viewers on a journey of self-acceptance in this documentary aimed at children.
Brumfitt is joined by children who share insights into the body image pressures they face and how their lives and choices are shaped by these pressures. She’s also joined by actors, comedians, influencers, sports stars, teachers and speakers, who all share perspectives on the global problems of body shaming, obsession with appearance and bullying, and the feelings of helplessness and unhappiness that these problems create.
Through these positive and sometimes hilarious interviews, Brumfitt helps children understand the effects of the media in driving these problems. She also helps children recognise stereotypes and unhealthy habits.
Most importantly, Brumfitt wants children to learn that they have the power to be happy and grateful; to love themselves and their bodies for everything they can do; and to choose where their dreams will take them. She wants children themselves to determine how they feel about their bodies and to remember that their spirits and their hearts define who they are.
Through this documentary, children will learn that they have the power to change the environment around them, by loving and not loathing their bodies and by being themselves.
Themes
Body shaming; bullying because of race, ethnicity, physical appearance, disability and gender; the influence of advertising and influencers in teaching us that we are broken; the business of making people feel unhappy so that we’ll buy more while striving for a standard that we can’t achieve; the negative effects of social media and how it contributes to the general unhappiness of millions of people
Violence
Embrace Kids has some violence. For example:
- An athlete describes how, as he was running in a game, someone grabbed his arm and pulled it straight down. This contributed to the accident that left him paralysed.
- A young girl describes how bullies spit at her.
Sexual references
Embrace Kids has some sexual references. For example, when people are talking about gender identity, they use the words ‘vagina’ and ‘penis’.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
There’s no use of substances in Embrace Kids.
Nudity and sexual activity
Embrace Kids has some nudity and sexual activity. For example:
- A comedian posts photos on social media of herself in bikinis or revealing clothes. She compares herself to influencers and models, who often wear very revealing clothing or swimwear.
- Women with diverse bodies celebrate their bodies by dancing around in their underwear and bras.
Product placement
The following products, brands, logos and shows are displayed or mentioned in Embrace Kids: Google, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, BTN, The Ellen Show, The Jimmy Fallon Show, The Good Place, My Little Pony, Barbie, CAT, Levis, Avico, Action Man, H&M, Tommy Hilfiger, Vogue, Gucci, Grazia, Marie Claire, Electric Fields and Marvel, specifically Captain America and Black Panther.
Coarse language
There’s some coarse language in this movie, including ‘bloody’, ‘BS’, ‘screwed’ and ‘ass’.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Embrace Kids is an eye-opening Australian documentary from writer, director and positive body image crusader Taryn Brumfitt. The movie is aimed at children aged 8-14 years, although its powerful messages are important for older teenagers and younger children too. This is because younger and younger children are being exposed to the subtle and pernicious effects of social media and marketing.
The main messages from Embrace Kids are to be yourself and believe in yourself and your potential because you’re beautiful, unique and enough, exactly as you are. Through this movie, children will be reminded that the happiest people are the people who follow their dreams and their hearts, regardless of what anyone else thinks or says. They’re not the people who are striving to meet impossible standards or trying to fit in.
Values in Embrace Kids that you could reinforce with your children include self-acceptance, tolerance, love, compassion, persistence and wisdom.