Ari (2016)

This is the story of ARI (meaning 'to be' in Japanese). Overweight and introverted, he longs to belong. Spurred on by his feelings for classmate Jess, he attempts to lose weight and become more outspoken in an effort to connect with others. But this only leads to more pain, to increased loneliness and sadness. Realising his futile and humiliating quest to become someone else, Ari makes a public declaration of self acceptance - and finds that he and his way of being are of surprising value.