November
7, 2001 (916)
558-6880
Says “Fat Suit”
Movies Insensitive to People of Size
The National Association to
Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) is calling for a boycott of “Shallow
Hal,” the latest in a series of Hollywood offerings that costumes actors
in “fat suits.” The organization asserts that movies like
“Shallow Hal,” “America's Sweethearts” and “The
Klumps” not only reinforce stereotypes and myths about fat people, but
underscore the prejudice against fat people in this country.
“Putting
thin performers in fat suits is no different than putting white performers in
blackface,” says Maryanne Bodolay, executive administrator of NAAFA.
“To have these actors become ‘fat’ and then film them gorging
on food and breaking chairs is an insult to the 55% of Americans who are deemed
‘overweight.’”
Although
the ultimate message of “Shallow Hal” and other such movies is that
inner beauty trumps appearance, those at NAAFA say that the end doesn’t
justify the means. “These movies are giving people permission to make fun
of fat people,” says Bodolay. “Hollywood is intent upon
perpetuating the myth that fat people are miserable and unattractive, and that
the path to happiness is through losing weight. In reality, beauty comes in all
sizes, and people can find happiness at whatever size they are.”
NAAFA is encouraging its
supporters to protest stereotyping of fat people by the movie industry by
boycotting “Shallow Hal.” “In an age when Hollywood is
seemingly committed to diversity in its movie roles, they're long overdue in
including characters that happen to be fat, where weight is not the focus of
the role,” says Bodolay. “Hollywood has the power to change the way
fat people are perceived, and we at NAAFA would welcome the opportunity to work
with them to achieve that goal.”
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