Inedia

Filmed on Salt Spring, Liz Cairns’ mesmerizing debut is the story of Cora (Amy Forsyth), a desperate young woman who signs up for an alternative lifestyle community to escape her mounting food allergies. At Sun Haven they practice “breatharianism”, or pranic nourishment, subsisting on light and air. The group’s charismatic leader (Susanne Wuest) and peaceful vibes give Cora hope, but it’s not long before she realizes there are tensions beneath the surface.

At its core, Inedia is an eerie study of emotional and psychological disturbance and the way it manifests outwardly. It also deftly taps into the ambiguity of fringe communities preying on the fragile, offering healing through scientifically dubious, often harmful methods. Complemented by Jeremy Cox’s lush 16mm cinematography and Amy Forsyth’s finely calibrated performance, the film possesses an ethereal mystique that perfectly articulates the hermetic nature of the character’s distress.

Jul 4: Q&A with writer director Liz Cairns

Riveting… anchored by a powerful performance from Amy Forsyth.

Stephen Saito, Moveable Feast

Intriguing… Inedia takes the folk horror genre and grounds it by leaning into the subject matter of food allergies.

Ethan Padgett, Film Threat