Katja is a champion ice skater, she has proud parents and a younger sister, who is somewhat jealous and envious that her older sibling receives so much attention. Stella, very well played by Rebecka Josephson, discovers that Katja has an eating disorder. She wants to tell her parents, but is blackmailed into secrecy by her sister.

This movie is touching and moving, tackling a difficult subject and showing what effect such illnesses have on the immediate family as well as the sufferer herself. The two sisters gel perfectly together and the scenes where they are laughing are so believable you could think they are actually sisters in real life. It's a great watch, so give it a look, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

My Skinny Sister bravely tackles a very serious mental disease that is more and more common in our society nowadays. The film does not explain the disease itself, where, when and how it starts but merely focuses on what life is like when a close family member gets severly affected by it and that is the painfully realistic part. Nothing is held back and strong performances from the entire cast might be quite painful or sad to watch for everyone who are all too familiar with eating disorders. We know that the pressures from the media and society are particularly harsh on girls and young women since we live in a youth and beauty obsessed culture. What parents and siblings go through is extremely difficult due to the fact that it is a very challenging disease, it is unfortunately still a taboo, it may take years to recover from it and even then it may only be dormant and come back again someday.

The film is very well made and if you get a chance to see it, do not miss it. Eating disorder is a topic that people should know more about in order to be able to help someone who is dealing with it in a better and more prepared way.

I've very rarely written IMDb reviews but as the only other one here so far is completely unrepresentative of how I've seen audiences respond to the film, it's important to offer another perspective. The synopsis in the paragraph below reveals some details concerning what happens in the first half of the film.

Swedish teenager Katja (Amy Deasismont) is a prize-winning ice skater, with proud and supportive parents. Twelve-year old slightly chubby sister Stella (Rebecka Josephson) doesn't attract quite the same attention, but aspires to emulate Katja. Their close relationship becomes strained when Stella discovers signs of her sister's eating disorder and wants to tell her parents, but Katja orders her not to, threatening to expose poems that would reveal her crush on Katja's skating coach. When Katja's problems become increasingly alarming and conspicuous, her family strive to help her, but soon find themselves out of their depth.

My Skinny Sister is an absorbing drama, but it's also notable for depicting body image issues – and a young woman's slide into anorexia – with rare insight. Writer-director Sanna Lenken's impressive first feature draws upon personal experience, adding authenticity, compassion and humour to a moving story that will resonate with many families. Katja's struggle is seen through Stella's eyes, and Josephson's outstanding performance helps to convey the impact this very serious illness has on a sufferer's anxious family.

It's bewildering that the other review is so poor. When I saw the film at the London Film Festival and later at a South London cinema, it was obvious during a Q&A and a discussion that followed these screenings that both audiences found it fascinating and thought-provoking. The sisters are so convincing that you'll think they are real people, and the actions of other characters are perfectly credible too. You don't have to take my word for it as My Skinny Sister received four and five star reviews in UK national newspapers. Screen International said: "As a depiction of the tug and pull of sibling emotions, My Skinny Sister hits the target with an almost-unnerving accuracy." It has also won awards at four festivals, including the Audience Award at the Gothenburg Film Festival and a Crystal Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. Berlin judges stated: "The film's unique perspective, stunning performances and challenging theme really touched our hearts... Despite tackling a challenging issue head-on, the filmmakers succeed in delivering real humour and charm as well as uneasy tension and visceral emotion." I couldn't agree more, so please see it and make up your own mind!