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Deep Dive: Eat Your Catfish (2021)

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Eat Your Catfish
Eat Your Catfish is a documentary that focuses on Kathryn Arjomand, a woman in the late stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and her family dynamics as they navigate caregiving and financial strain. The film is shot entirely from a fixed camera in Kathryn's New York City apartment, capturing her interactions with her husband Saïd and their son Noah. Kathryn, who communicates through an eye-tracking keyboard, provides commentary on her life, marriage, and the healthcare system while facing the reality of her condition. The narrative centers around Kathryn's desire to live long enough to attend her daughter Minou's wedding. The film captures the daily routines and tensions within the household, including the challenges of caregiving and moments of dark humor. The camera's fixed position offers a unique perspective, allowing viewers to witness the intimate and often difficult realities of living with ALS, as well as the emotional weight carried by her family.

Why Watch

  • •See Kathryn's unique perspective on ALS care.
  • •Follow the family's emotional journey leading to a wedding.
  • •Meet the caregivers and their impact on daily life.

Did You Know

•Eat Your Catfish premiered at the 2021 IDFA in Amsterdam.
•The film won Best Documentary at the Istanbul International Film Festival in 2022.
•It received an Emmy for Outstanding Social Issue Documentary in 2024.
•The documentary has a runtime of 74 minutes.

Perfect For

Documentary enthusiastsDisability studiesFamily dynamics