COLUMBIA - Rag Tag Cinemas hosted a free screening and discussion of "The Burger and the king: The Life and Cuisine of Elvis Presley," in conjunction with MU's Life Science and Society program.  The screening was one event in the series which will end with the "Food Sense" Symposium, from March 16-18, 2012.  The documentary follows Elvis Presley's cullinary adventures in a dark comedy which reveals the King's eating disorder as a major cause of his death.

MU English Professor LuAnne Roth watched the movie for the second time with her husband and 11-year-old son Kahlil Roth-Folly.  She was fascinated by the emotional ties to food that the film illustrates, and is thinking of incorporating the film into her class material. 

"It's a way of I think, exposing Americans to something that maybe a problem, using a popular icon to do that."

Aside from educating her son about the prevelance of eating disorders, Roth says she also wants to expose him to the king of rock and roll, an icon Kahlil is completely unfamiliar with.

After the screening, Psychologist Beth Shoyer held a question and answer session. She specializes in mindful eating and brought up different theories on the causes of eating disorers such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and compulsive overeating.  She also accepted donations for the 2012 Symposium.  Click here for the event page.