Boobs: Channel 4 to air one-off documentary all about breasts

Channel 4 has announced a one-off documentary all about breasts.

Simply titled Boobs, the show is described as a “witty and forthright documentary” that examines how women feel about their breasts.

Channel 4 share: “During lockdown our bras were furloughed and women started questioning why we were even wearing them – a sign of women’s ever changing relationship with their breasts.

“Using a mix of interviews with real women, alongside reality star Megan Barton-Hanson, artist Sophie Tea and podcaster Jackie Adedeji, and hilarious and unexpected clips from classic films, this documentary covers everything from bras to Baywatch.

“When ‘free the nipple’ is a clarion call around the world, and fake boobs are inflating the earnings of reality TV stars everywhere, this film feels particularly prescient.”

Elizabeth Sankey (Romantic Comedy) writes and directs, saying: “Making this film was such a joy. I loved going through hundreds of films and TV shows to find the most iconic, bizarre and bodacious breast moments ever committed to screen.

“While cutting these clips together it quickly became clear that breasts are a very unique body part, obsessed over in Western culture, sexualised and twisted into an aspirational signifier of traditional young, white, beauty, while simultaneously acting as the most magical of food sources, providing nourishment for our children.

“While making this film I met so many incredible women who moved and inspired me, and also made me cry laughing (my crew included) and it was so refreshing to create a space where we could ditch the seedy stare of the male gaze to sit down with women and simply ask, ‘How do you feel about your breasts?'”

Shaminder Nahal, head of specialist factual at Channel 4, added: “I love the way this film intertwines women’s thoughts and feelings about their breasts with film and TV clips in such a funny, moving and clever way. I think it will make everyone who watches think a little differently about these endlessly fascinating body parts. It’s the latest of our Specialist Factual films investigating our bodies and ourselves after the groundbreaking 100 Vaginas, Bring Back the Bush, and Me and My Penis“

Lana Salah, executive producer, commented: “This is a feminist film with a completely female cast and crew taking a look at how breasts are mostly portrayed through the male gaze – it’s one of the few opportunities to hear women talk about and celebrate their boobs and discuss how can we claim our breasts back”

Boobs airs on Channel 4 on Monday 7 February at 10PM.