Let Her Eat Cake | a short film

Striving to please her overbearing mother, a 13-year-old gymnast attempts to lose 5 pounds in one night.
This is a short film I wrote and directed as my thesis film in college. I couldn't have made it without your support and I am so excited to finally share it here!
Keep Up With What I'm Making Next:
Instagram: / amandapanda767
Business Inquiries: [e-mail]

[@millsgurl8358]

This was a beautiful film. When it come to eating disorders, teenage white girls are usually depicted the most and that lead woc, especially black girls, feeling unheard so it was great not only seeing the daughter suffer from it, but the mother too. And you humanized the mother too.

[@amandamaryanna]

thank you so much

[@heysilly1341]

There’s also a LOT of racism online when it comes to black people in eating disordered spaces

[@user.iloveheidi]

i never really noticed this, and now i'm looking back seeing the only representation is overeating, not other ED's, i should've noticed better and as a white girl I'm so sorry x hope ur doing better

[@STELLARY_BELLARY]

I very very much agree with this comment. I have a friend who has struggled with eating for quite awhile and is also black! Its very important to show this kind of representation. And luckily im seeing a lot more of representation for this! Even a show called Everything Now. Its also really neat that people have been showing more representation for guys with eating disorders. Theres a lot more of that to.

[@fredrika27]

I love the conversation between the mother and daughter. My generation couldn't speak back, but this generation demands to be heard. Had my generation spoken back, maybe so many of us would not be estranged from our parents and grandparents. Lovely ending. Well done!

[@kookykiddo]

“I’m not really hungry.” “Good!”….oof.

[@kookykiddo]

Beautiful but so triggering. The mom reminds me so much of my own.

[@wonyoungsperiodblood]

@@kookykiddo same

[@Sariiiiiiiiiiiiiii]

@@kookykiddoI hope you’ve found healing from that ❤❤

[@grognon-fi5hf]

Relatable

[@GLUTT0N]

@@kookykiddoi get it

[@mierenierez]

BRO WHEN SHE WAS TRYING TO SNEAK SOME CAKE IT WAS SO STRESSFUL. One of my worst nightmares as a kid😭

[@ieatrocksyumyum]

fr omg

[@j-id2zt]

Real. That feeling of shame and guilt ugh

[@Hamilton-TheMusical]

Literally my life

[@_dahtruthTV]

Them damn cake toppers are the worst! Never could sneak a piece 🍰 without waking up the whole house.. 😂

[@amandamaryanna]

right!!

[@Hamilton-TheMusical]

I got so crafty I could do it even when my dad started to sleep downstairs (closer to the kitchen)

[@lydia21936]

Exactly😂

[@SM-gy5wv]

woah that readjustment of the scale was such a nice detail. it perfectly captures that sense of 'that can't be right'/disbelief.

[@TeagueChrystie]

Unbelievably good. This felt like a whole feature. The acting. The lighting. The sound mixing when she's trying to be quiet! I was twitching at every sound the cake lid made. Fantastic.

[@harsheh]

i lovw the sound. i don't understand how it works but these days the biggest projects have horrible audio as well. to see this have such an enticing audio is so satisfying.

[@caris5944]

Not to mention the title 👌

[@yours_jay]

"i'd rather be a happy pig" girl is so real for taht

[@bgeese1918]

I love how the “Her” in Let Her Eat Cake can be either about the daughter or the mom. It’s from the daughter’s perspective but this is also cathartic and personal for the mom as much as it is for the daughter. It’s a nonlinear experience, it can be either during adolescence or when you’re a grown adult, whether as a parent or not. And specifically in this case, when being a mother and when being a daughter, let alone for Black and nonwhite experiences. This was beautiful and heartfelt! Amazing filmmaking overall!! Also something about this exudes professionalism! I’m a film student and it’s definitely interesting when being one, watching this cause technically id know what the BTS looks like and how shots and other aspects were achieved, so it’s also a “fun” experience guessing or imagining what it wouldve been like to be on set for this, but also with the argument scene, i could imagine how emotional the crew was, just being in awe of the performances and how all of pre production has lead to this!

[@amandamaryanna]

ahhh I love this analysis! thank you so much :)

[@VV-sq6yb]

I like how she was the only nonwhite girl in the class, there’s just something about being one of the only, if not the only nonwhite girls on a team and feeling inherently mediocre for it; that was probably the most relatable aspect of the film for me. It’s alienating to not have good athletes around you who look like you.

[@ExtremeHotGirlBiz]

same

[@lsweet222]

Thank you. I felt seen. Im a black woman who had anorexia. Only black girl in uk ward. No one thought i was anorexic because i still had hips and i didnt weigh as less as my counterparts, but i was still seriously ill and close to death. Thank u for showing eating disorders come in different forms and not just stereotypes ❤❤❤

[@amandamaryanna]

Thank you so much

[@bun-e9361]

Your story rings so true. Went through the same thing but so happy there is finally a voice for us that will not be forgotten! 💜

[@clairemann2]

I hope you’re doing well my love!! You are so strong and so brave and I’m so proud of you. Keep on rocking on ❤❤❤❤❤

[@l.v1843]

i hope you're doing well honey ❤ but what does being black has to do with this?

[@feminenby]

this is so good omg! seeing her mom eat the cake after that argument just reminded me that our parents are/were kids just like us - navigating their own stuff, and in some cases (consciously or subconsciously) passing down their trauma like heirlooms

[@prodigy_pam4590]

So true

[@kweenleo2265]

An obvious observation but I really do love how the title reflects the mother’s struggles with eating the “wrong” foods. The idea of staying skinny, staying perfect and how it never really leaves even after her career ends. How she lives and breathes it after so long. But I love that it got through to her how abrasive and horrid it is after her argument with her daughter. And I love how her daughter is the one to end it. Really, just let her eat cake.

[@natashamilton4298]

My little sister and I both struggle from disordered eating in different ways, she’s more likely to eat snacks over meals and I sometimes go without eating anything for long stretches of time. However because she’s bigger than me she gets lectured about eating more often. Eating disorders don’t have a “look” and it’s so important that both the mom and the daughter are shown to struggle

[@Belluser-we1uc5cb2l]

Same. My mom. Everyday looking and commenting about my body. I was 125 pounds and she was still body shaming me. I struggle till this day with it.

[@meilanieyre2775]

I'm so grateful you created this. I felt so seen, I never saw a Black person represented in media that spoke about EDs like this growing up. I never saw ED media that showed someone speaking up for themselves, choosing themselves like this, in a way that wasn't corny but showed what it's like to be fed up with self hatred. This was wonderful, and as someone who's been in remission for 4 years now, I felt like I could engage with this because it wasn't triggering either. This was thoughtful, honest, and intentional. Thank you

[@amandamaryanna]

thank you so much. I'm so glad it resonated with you

[@sxt4447]

I was a ballerina from the time I was 2-3 years old until I was 12. Once I began the puberty stage at age 7, I was developing much faster than all of my friends. By the time I was 12, I was already a double D and rapidly growing. The director of my dance company announced in front of everyone that girls could no longer wear sports bras under their leotards. I knew that was a dog whistle to suggest I would not be able to advance to pointe because of my Black Latina curves. I have always been heartbroken over that loss because dance was such a huge part of my life, but those spaces can be so toxic and harmful to our body image. This film brought so many of those emotions back within such a short amount of time. I know it’s going to resonate with a lot of others too. Congratulations on a beautiful film and perfect script ❤

[@gastllyxo]

The ending is so melancholy, both these people have such deeply rooted issues that it’s gonna take years to heal from that kind of damage

[@L0nley_lilly]

I love how this shows that *anyone* can develop an Ed, truly magical.

[@mirandaterrell]

This was so beautiful and brilliant - short but deep. You captured the complex dynamic of beauty, societal, and parental expectations in such a short time window. Not to mention the complex dynamic of teen girls and their mothers. What a body of artwork but I’m not at all surprised. You have a gift and I look forward to seeing where you take it. From one creative to another, All the best.

[@maijennasis]

oh my goodness the clip of her opening the loud ass cake container was too real. It was all unfortunately too real. great writing & direction Amanda, this is amazing. the score is also gorgeous, thank you for sharing!

[@thesophshow01]

“You brought me Into this world and you can take me out, I KNOW.” Was a little too real- 😢

[@theturkey777]

😭

[@j-id2zt]

Yes

[@urlocal.liz3]

Fr

[@___Emily__]

You did a wonderful job. ❤ This should be shown to students, especially in high school health classes. It would make for great discussion and analysis amongst young people.

[@CharlieSolan-vm1ns]

Had me crying in the first 2 minutes. It's unbelievable the stress about weight we put on literally children.

[@mariaSanchez-ub7ds]

as a black gymnast thank you for showing that we do sports too! i love ur open casting call of main character and not just picking one race ! the main character looks just like me! and for that i thank you! im grown now but i struggle with self harming it never gets easier BUT as far as how ppl react, they say im mean or "have a bad attuited". I've gotten to a point were i don't explain, but if ppl ask i will share! im not ashamed this is who i am but its not my story ! if any African American young girls need someone I'm here! and If any other women or young ladies need someone that isn't i dont care! we are all human and need someone

[@someblaqguy]

This is heartbreaking, and there were moments that were hard to watch for all the right reasons. Yet, the story and the directing is so gripping that i couldn't look away. This is amazing, i loved every minute. 👏 👏 👏 got me tearing up 😢

[@callmehashley687]

5:10 Those things are the loudest/hardest things to open EVER. 💀 Jokes aside, this was really well made! ❤

[@deevinay]

“Im not really hungry” “good” damn :(

[@L3onaluvsu]

Bruh and then the mom starts shoving her face

[@AbbyxBees]

@@L3onaluvsuikr-?? 😢😢

[@eisojiaras]

"you shouldve thought of that before you got knocked up by a deadbeat" and she finished her!

[@itstonycia]

Oh my gosh when she was running outside and fell/passed out I flinched. 🤕 great job. You really captured my attention (span) as I was randomly browsing on KZbin. Great storytelling! I love seeing and supporting other black girls in film!! ❤️👏🏾

[@shelballsxx]

You're a wonderful storyteller, first of all. Bravo! 👏🏽 This brought up a lot for me emotionally. I thought the cake represented feelings of shame, while also functioning as this sort of gateway to clarity for mother & daughter. "Humble pie" comes to mind? The enmeshment between them also reminds me of Nina and her mother's dynamic in Black Swan. Was that intentional? Because I really appreciated this take between a Black mother & daughter. We're so often overlooked in stories about eating disorders.

[@amandamaryanna]

thank you so much! and yes! that was definitely an inspiration!

[@yonathnael]

I'm so happy to see the final project, this was beautiful ! The attention to details and the way the message is deleivered is amazing ! So excited to see more of your talent !

[@kelechiliftinglife1618]

So proud to be an Associate Producer on this film! Well done, Amanda and to the whole cast and crew 😊❤

[@lima170]

Amanda, this was incredible and beautiful. I was honestly a little worried that the mom was going to be handled in a very one note way but I should've known you would never miss the nuances and boil down characters so simply. I love the way you acknowledge the way that trauma is a cycle and that it isn't usually intentionally passed down, and that there are parents/people who only need to realize the harm in what they're doing to try and do better, for themselves and for others. it's just a really nice, real depiction of the complexity in dynamic between mother and daughter/child.

[@kimberleywilliams7802]

Not me fighting back TEARS omg Amanda this was beautiful.

[@Beabuzz123]

105 lbs for someone her age is actually quite healthy, especially if she’s getting plenty of exercise with gymnastics.

[@Everybody_Loves_Logan_X]

oh so am i overerweight..?

[@kiaart2686]

No her being that much doesn’t mean your overweight. Whatever height is healthy for you depends on your height, gender, bone density and muscle so it varies from person to person

[@AidenLoveit]

Incredible! It brings awareness to ED's and their prevalence amongst all people, cultures, ages, races, and ethnicities. As a sufferer of an ED (been in recovery for 3 months now), the awareness of it is brushed off too easily sometimes. I hope you continue to produce more films! My sister was also a film student (graduated in '21) and produces incredible workpieces as well.

[@zapzarbiedrama8285]

The daughter ate up the whole argument dude😭 Good points and everything. The knocked up part had me gasp, but besides that, as she should.

[@shelele3161]

This was so beautiful! Wow, thank you for sharing this with us! I hope you let yourself feel very proud of this!

[@niyatisavur919]

This was so well done Amanda! I'm don't know if this was intentional, but in the scene where the daughter is stripping off all the layer she had on, I interpreted it as her getting rid of all the toxic things that had been drilled into her head about her weight. I'd like to think that it gets better for her and her mom after this. Thank you for this film and please keep telling more stories!

[@TB-ky7de]

Amanda, this was incredible! Well done! I totally see you becoming a full length feature film director.

[@damianmendez2127]

W message. W directing. W ending. W video!!!!!!!!

[@LuxuriousLenay]

I'm a thick, healthy mixed girl, so this was kind of relatable. I often get comments about my body, whether it be positive or negative. I used to get the most disgusting comments from someone in my life. I thought about offing myself. I'm fine now, but sometimes I get so on edge just thinking about it

[@user-vy7my9zc4q]

Haley Bailey coming to my mind because of the title

[@AbbyxBees]

lol ikr??

[@rainbowbrite621]

This was an excellent short film. The story managed to tell so much in such a short time frame. I hope you continue along the path of storytelling and film making!

[@amandamaryanna]

Thank you! That's the plan!

[@lydiagrace3335]

Wow, this film is incredibly moving. Every bit of it is well done. I'm speechless. I would love to see more films from you because the storytelling here is enthralling. 👏

[@ellaronci2703]

so moving, this really hit home. watched it twice and it gets better each time. unbelievable job, this is true talent

[@amandamaryanna]

thank you so much

[@sophiemariestudies1671]

So proud of you amanda!! This was beautiful, u got me in tears gurl

[@safetynetspov]

I love this film and I really like the score. I shed a tear at the end.

[@serenity6831]

Wow, this was very sweet (no pun intended). Great film! We don't usually see these situations with black girls at the forefront

[@starwoodh98]

Amanda, this is really good! From the acting, editing, and sound design...the list can go on forever! This was very captivating!

[@amandamaryanna]

Thank you so much!!

[@TakaMitsukai]

This makes me miss my late mom. She was nothing like this mom, but it made me want to hug her and say thank you! 🥺

[@DIGI0TAL]

this hit close to home. such beautiful work all around, thank u amanda :)

[@Morarchive]

Seriously, thanks. I wish more people cared. It's really a different experience for us for so many reasons, and I feel you captured that by showing instead of telling. Also, the mother's acting is sooooo good. The struggling with the cake was too much even :')

[@brookesmith6998]

I was so excited when I saw that you uploaded your short film to the channel. Congratulations on a job well done! Being able to tell a complete story in such a short amount of time is impressive.

[@frederik5964]

Awesome job! I wonder how many cakes it took

[@amandamaryanna]

it took 3! :)

[@MechaJutaro]

I look forward to seeing your first feature length flick on the silver screen, Mandy

[@JaredBurdick]

Phew that tension was insane! Great work!

[@coriander9770]

I am not black, but I love seeing how there are black characters depicted! it's always usually white girls, but it was lovely seeing someone of a different race. Beautiful film

[@shekinahlucas6028]

So exciting to see what you had planned come to life! Great film!!

[@gleegloo5866]

this was unexpectedly brilliant. sadly i relate a lot with the mom and daughter, so refreshing to see a story like mine told using actors and a script that matches my life too lol :)

[@India_marie1]

I love the representation 🥹 please make more short films in the future ❤❤❤

[@anastasiathehiphopfairy]

This is amazing!! I can't wait to see more of your short films! 😍😍 I would love to see what all went into making this.

[@marcelavazquez6577]

You had me at the edge of my chair the whole time. Congratulations to all the people behind this amazing film, can't wait to see your work on the big screen 🤍🤍

[@esahcaeeneiradgbo2464]

I felt the pain. I felt the love, the anger even the sadness. This peice of art is a masterpiece. ❤

[@theealiennreview6912]

I love your film it teaches a lot about the abuse that people in sports go through and body disorders that come with it

[@janoovanthatparan3488]

Wow this is amazing, you’ve provided a perspective that was underrepresented.

[@CoolPerson-tl2ue]

I love the part where the mom eats the cake and knows how it feels for her this is so heart warming ❤️

[@PocketDeerBoy]

This is genuinely so sweet! Love the performances here, the relationship feels very real even if it's strained it really hits

[@nfrwasherbestalbum]

incredible. I feel honoured to finally watch !!

[@alexasaltz4229]

OMG...layering the clothes... flashback! Horrifying! I have lived this! Took me years to love myself...

[@NastMarrero]

This is precious, Amanda, thanks. It hurts, but it lets in the promise of healing.

[@CobaltLn]

The script and acting was wonderful and I'm obsessed with the sounds!

[@persidemesa74]

So so so good and I haven’t even finished watching it, I was immediately captivated by the cinematography, the acting, the music - just amazing.

[@PogieJoe]

Beautifully done! Thank you to you and your crew for using your gifts to tell such an important story

[@bohemiamusicgroup]

This is such an incredible film. Elegant, relatable, and emotionally impactful. Really great job.

[@melancholiclamb]

this is an impeccable film. i have had ed for 6 years and they both played the part beautifully, and captured how it really is

[@kanamexzeroxyuuki]

Wow.that was so powerful! I felt it! Every step, every bite, all the way to her wiping off the marker on her thighs 🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽

[@PokhrajRoy.]

So happy to see the short film release here 👏🏽

[@olazurike]

this is incredible

[@amrithakanna]

when she went to cut her legs i was so scared cringing waiting for blood- this was fantastic! so so real.

[@arabellastringer3788]

This is inspirational❤️ As a young aspiring short films writer and director this is so well done and has an intriguing plot💗

[@Tuvabaluba]

Loved this, especially the use of the sound and music

[@Adamcameralens]

How do i cast my vote for the oscars proud of you amanda this is amazing you should be very happy and proud of yourself and how this came out

[@amandamaryanna]

thank you :)

[@IsalandiaIsalina]

This was so well done! Congratulations Amanda🎉🙌🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@nachaly]

so well crafted, the symbolism w/ the cake throughout the short is used perfectly

[@mykalashew7385]

All too relatable... also I would've been tweaking if my house was that loud sneaking around I would been caught 😂😂

[@snxowlie.]

this was an absolutely beautiful film, im at a loss for words i feel like i just watched an entire movie

[@snxowlie.]

the quality of it was great!

[@mahavishnustravinskij]

This helped so much!!! This needs to be visible!!

[@jadakamau7341]

Girl this was sooo beautiful and captivating from the start!!! WOW WOW WOW big congratulations on this film!

[@amandamaryanna]

Thank you so much!!

[@harsheh]

i love this so much thanks amanda

[@AsterSapphire777]

Amazing piece of art. I love everything about it. Especially the music!

[@frogman1]

ah, the music on this is so good and delicate

[@sophiaabolore8499]

This was so amazing Amanda! Never stop creating art 💗💕💕💕

[@thecactusinthevalley4657]

This was so well done. Congratulations and thank you so much for sharing it with us! :)

[@Jojo-tf2zp]

This made me cry! Gorgeous film

[@GlennaBlaze]

The movie is absolutely superb, simply outstanding.

[@adeladam2325]

This is so remarkably good. On every level. You're a great director and I really hope you consider a career in filmmaking.

[@KatherineLake-qw8hm]

Okay literally how is this a student film it's so good

[@JM-hd3lr]

the ending was so heartwarming 🥹

[@ayahsaheb9029]

This is done incredibly well, you should be proud! 💜

[@martykins]

love this!!!