CANADIAN PREMIERE
Maya’s body repels her hair as if it were a foreign material. At 12 years old, Maya’s sudden hair loss is the result of a condition known as Alopecia Areata. Over the course of two years she’s experienced an unexpected and drastic shift in her appearance. This has come with much personal struggle, sacrifice and growth. It’s easy enough to wear a wig, hat or a hoodie in the colder months, but now it’s summer. In the sweltering heat it is much more difficult to cover a bald head. Feeling exposed and self-conscious, Maya can’t help but consider how others must see her. She questions her self-worth in a culture which reinforces unrealistic beauty standards. As Maya begins to embrace her external appearance, something formative is brewing internally. Somewhere between clicking, sharing and liking all the selfies she takes with her friends, the girls become young women. Maya’s individual destiny spotlights the confrontation of a generation at odds with self-image. A reflective and provoking coming of age documentary about the delicate search for self, the shedding of vanity, and the confidence that comes from loving one’s self.
Themes: coming of age, medical condition, beauty standards, ego, self-care/self-love, friendship, family, independence, summertime
Feature film recommended for age: 11+
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