Although Shawn “Clown” Crahan is better known as a masked founder of Slipknot, he is also a talented director who recently branched out into professional documentary production. Still, his announcement that his next documentary will focus on eating disorders was still surprising.
“Why eating disorders? My path through life has brought me into contact with a number of women and men suffering from these terrible diseases and I feel compelled to do what I can to help,” Crahan wrote on the band’s website last week.
It seems the documentary’s development is still in early stages, as Crahan asked for readers’ help in finding three potential subjects: men or women above 30, between 18 and 30 and younger than 18 who have been diagnosed with anorexia, bulimia or an eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS).
Crahan reassured readers and potential participants that his intention is not to exploit personal struggles.
I warn you now that I intend to ask a great deal of you. I am not interested in telling only part of the story. I want to speak to you and film your story. I want to be positive but not condescending, to be honest, but not cruel. My hope is that your experiences will give the woman or man suffering in silence the strength to get help. My hope is that telling your story will empower you to gain control of your illness.
I have seen the devastation eating disorders inflict on both the people suffering from them as well as on their families. I am not foolish enough to believe this will cure anyone, but can we help to save someone? Isn’t that a chance worth taking?
Crahan did not reveal how personally he has been affected by eating disorders. However, as 30 million Americans suffer from clinically significant eating disorders at some point in their lives, most everyone has a friend or family member who has struggled.
As an adult male, Crahan’s demographic is not one that is generally vocal about eating disorders and body image issues. Hopefully, that position will allow him to reach a whole new audience of people who otherwise wouldn’t care.
Crahan asks anyone interested in participating to email him: schon@5bam.com
