The documentary Embrace opens with Australian narrator Lila Harper, who shares her journey after her pre-baby photos went viral. Following the birth of her child, she became obsessed with achieving the “ideal body,” even entering a bodybuilding competition. The photo depicting her before this transformation illustrates her struggle. However, upon meeting other competitors, she realized that their happiness with their bodies was just as elusive as hers had been with her postpartum figure. After a laborious pursuit of a “perfect” physique, Lila came to a profound realization: it was time to embrace her body as it is, rather than view it as a project in constant need of improvement.
She later takes after photos—stripped down and unapologetic, as her partner describes. These images represent a stark contrast to her previous toned appearance; they showcase her softer, more relatable self, radiating beauty. Lila’s message is clear: all bodies deserve love. Watching the film, I felt uplifted and indignant at the societal pressures perpetuated by fashion brands and advertisers, which had previously led me to believe that my body was unacceptable.
Yet, there’s a significant oversight: I am a white, blue-eyed, middle-class American with a bit of extra baby weight, much like Lila. The documentary claims to explore body image issues globally, asserting that “the culture of body loathing and body shaming has reached epic proportions worldwide.” However, the scope is limited—most interviewees are Australian, a handful are American, and a couple hail from the UK, with just one from the Dominican Republic. The narrative largely unfolds in English, lacking the richness of diverse cultural perspectives.
Lila acknowledges the statistic that “1 in 5 people in South Korea has had plastic surgery,” yet fails to delve deeper into the implications of this fact. For instance, eyelid surgery is the most popular procedure there, often aimed at achieving a more Westernized appearance. This highlights the impact of global media on non-Western societies, a point echoed by one of Lila’s interviewees. Another brief reference is made to Fijian culture, where the introduction of Western media led to a rise in eating disorders among girls who were once celebrated for their fuller figures. Unfortunately, these critical discussions are left undeveloped as Lila swiftly moves on.
Throughout the film, Lila features street interviews with women from various backgrounds who candidly express their feelings about their bodies. While these segments introduce some diversity, they ultimately fall flat as the focus remains narrowly on weight rather than encompassing broader issues of race, colorism, and societal standards. A single black woman featured in the concluding photoshoot describes her body as “big…beautiful…dangerously curvy,” but this is the extent of her contribution.
While Lila does speak with women from different backgrounds about their unique body image challenges—such as facial hair and weight—she neglects to address race as a vital aspect of the body positivity conversation. Ignoring the complexities surrounding skin color, including the prevalence of skin-bleaching in Asian cultures and colorism within the African-American community, diminishes the film’s impact.
The film may empower viewers who identify with Lila’s experiences, but those who don’t may feel excluded. If you don’t share her background, your narrative seems overlooked. Perhaps Lila was unaware of the intricate relationship between race and beauty or simply chose not to confront it. While Embrace is a raw exploration of self-love and the beauty industry’s damaging effects, it falls short of being inclusive.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for comprehensive discussions on body positivity that encompass diverse experiences, you might find this documentary lacking. For further insights on related topics, check out resources about pregnancy and home insemination here or explore the at-home insemination kit we discuss here. For a deeper understanding of body positivity, visit this authoritative piece.