Bullfrog Films
72 minutes
Closed Captioned

Grades 10-12, College, Adult

Directed by Jeff McKay
Produced by The National Film Board of Canada

DVD Purchase $275, Rent $85
VHS Purchase $275, Rent $85

US Release Date: 1994
Copyright Date: 1994
DVD ISBN: 0-7722-1223-6
VHS ISBN: 0-7722-0501-9

Subjects
Canadian Studies
Diet
Disabilities
Eating Disorders
Food And Nutrition
Health
Mental Health
Prejudice
Psychology
Social Psychology
Sociology

Awards and Festivals
Peabody Award
NAAFA Special Achievement Award
Honorable Mention, Columbus International Film & Video Festival
American Psychological Association Film Festival
Nominated, Genie Awards, Montreal
Crystal Heart Nomination, Heartland Film Festival
Nominated, Chalmers Documentarian Award
Galway International Film Festival
Fat Chance
The Big Prejudice

An obese man re-examines his self-image, and questions the biases in our weight-conscious culture.

"Funny, endearing, and, at times, quite moving...Editor's Choice." **** Video Librarian

Rick Zakowich is fat. Many would call him obese. Now at 40 he feels he's come to that stage in his life where it's do or die. Nothing has ever worked before; and after 30 years of trying and failing, he wants to give it one more chance. He feels confident; he's got the support of his family and friends, but more importantly he believes in himself.

FAT CHANCE is the story of Rick's journey toward a new sense of self. Caught in a world where looks are everything, Rick aspires to thinness, but ultimately begins to question the real values of this world promulgated by media, fashion and diet-mania. Spurred on by friends at the National Association for the Advancement of Fat Acceptance, Rick comes to realize that fat is no longer something to despise, change or eradicate. It has become a true part of his identity, a fact of life to be understood, accepted and celebrated.

Funny and intelligent, this is a beautifully made film destined to change public opinion.

Web Page: http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/catalog/fatch.html

Reviews
"One of the most remarkable pieces of work and art that I've seen in this field ever."

Shay Harris, Milwaukee Psychiatric Hospital, creator of the Obesity and Body Image Program

"By following the life of Zakowich... we are given an insight into what should truly matter to people - and it isn't size...I'm going to look at people, all people, in a different way. I highly recommend this video for all public and school libraries."
**** Video Rating Guide

"Funny, endearing, and, at times, quite moving... an excellent program... highly recommended. Editor's Choice."
**** Video Librarian

"It makes the essential point that our cultural hatred of and moralistic attitudes toward obesity are not only damaging but may well stand in the way of weight loss, even if desired or desirable...I would strongly recommend this film for showing to high school students, to employers who want to do training, to people in the medical, nutritional or therapeutic professions, and to a general audience...It is penetrating, witty, and beautifully done."
Richard A. Gordon, Ph.D., Eating Disorders

"A lot of the 'fat dialogue' in our society involves women. Fat is not only a female issue although you wouldn't know it from all the diet ads. I enjoyed witnessing a man's opinions and emotions on growing up fat, living with fat and surviving with fat in a skinny world. It's often taken for granted that fat men have it easier than fat women... Fat Chance shows that there are men out there who are hurting too and they can feel good about themselves... I highly recommend this film."
M.E. Wood, Bella Online, Large and Lovely website