Epix lines up Salty body image doc

US cable channel Epix has commissioned a documentary about unrealistic beauty standards and their damaging effects on women and girls.

Mark Greenberg

Straight/Curve comes from New York City-based Salty Features and will debut on the network on June 21.

Mark Greenberg, president and CEO, Epix, said the doc “takes a bold offence against today’s pervasive, ceaseless reinforcement of unhealthy messaging around body image.”

Ninety percent of young women and girls say they do not feel represented in the fashion industry or in media, and that the imagery they consume on a daily basis makes them feel “disgusting,” according to the producers.

The film is directed by Jenny McQuaile and produced by Jess Lewis, Jenny McQuaile, Yael Melamede and Valerie Bishop Pearson. It is executive produced by Jocelyn Diaz, Ross Bernard and Jill Burkhart.

Epix, which in the process of being acquired by US studio MGM, is also set to roll out original scripted series such as Get Shorty, starring Chris O’Dowd and Ray Romano, in 2017.