#Films

[fatliberation]

FAT LIBERATIONIST FILMS

I noticed that the handful of lists on letterboxd for fat positive films only had Hairspray, Isn’t It Romantic, and I Feel Pretty (🤢) with the caption “I wish this list was longer!”

So I have taken it upon myself to compile a real list of real fat liberationist films: films that either confront the issue of fatphobia or portray fat bodies in a liberating way. I will not be including films where fat characters exist neutrally, only films with a message about fatness that does not promote weight loss.

I haven’t seen a majority of these films yet, so if you see one that you believe is not worthy of being on this list, please let me know! additionally, if you have ideas on more films that should be added, please share!

Films (left to right)

1. How to Carry Water (2023) dir. Sasha Wortzel

2. Piggy (2022) dir. Carlotta Pereda

3. Your Fat Friend (2023) dir. Jeanie Finlay

4. Dumplin’ (2018) dir. Anne Fletcher

5. Empire Waist (2024) dir. Claire Ayoub

6. PattiCake$ (2017) dir. Geremy Jasper

7. Läski (2019) dir. Kirsikka Saari

8. Aquaporko! (2013) dir. Kelli Jean Drinkwater, Anna Helme

9. Fat Hiking Club (2018) dir. Layla Cameron

10. Fat Front (2019) dir. Louise Kjeldsen, Louise Detlefsen

11. Disfigured (2008) dir. Glenn Gers

12. Riot Not Diet (2018) dir. Julia Fuhr Mann, Kristina Kilian

13. Straight/Curve: Redefining Body Image (2017) dir. Jenny McQuaile

14. In Our Skin (2017) dir. Rosa Beiroa

15. The Fat Feeling (2019) dir. Talia A. Darling

16. Dangerous Curves (2016) dir. Merete Mueller

17. Well Rounded (2020) dir. Shana Myara

18. Fat Chance (1994) dir. Jeffery McKay

19. Tales of Ordinary Fatphobia (2020) dir. Josiane Blanc

20. Fattitude (2017) dir. Viridiana Lieberman

21. (Not pictured) The Fat Body (In)Visible (2011) dir. Margitte Kristjansson

[mysharona1987]

[min0guess]

SCARY MOVIE 2 (2000) dir. keenen ivory wayans

[skypercy]

I just watched Superman and the anti-Israel message was clear as day. This review on Letterboxd was exactly my thoughts on the movie. #GunnWasLoaded

[serena-fox]

I honestly think that Unitedstatians often go around talking about racism and cultural appropriation without even understanding how to engage with other cultures. Segregation had a huge impact in the U.S., but it didn’t happen the same way in every country. They go on about the lack of racial representation in shows and films from other cultures, yet they believe all Latinos look like a stereotypical Mexican.

For example, in Argentina, there aren’t many Black people because there was a lot of racial mixing and not the same kind of segregation (at least not of Afro-descendant people). What we do have is a significant population of immigrants, mainly from Bolivia, Venezuela, and Colombia. So it’s more likely that when you watch an Argentine film, you won’t see Black actors—not because they’re excluded, but because it's not a large community here. However, nowadays, characters and actors from migrant backgrounds are often represented.

It’s honestly ridiculous to see Unitedstatians judging these series without even the slightest interest in thinking from a historical or geographical perspective. Like, if you’re wondering why there aren’t Black actors in this show or in other media from a certain country, before jumping on Twitter to spread misinformation or hate, maybe take the time to research it or ask on social media with genuine curiosity.

This is just one example of how people don’t care enough to educate themselves or be thoughtful when watching foreign media, but there are so many more. And it’s not always limited to Unitedstatians—this can apply to anyone who lacks the empathy to realize they’re engaging with a culture they don’t know, and should be mindful of how they approach it.

You! American fan of foreign or otherwise un-American media! Are you aware of the nuances and cultural differences that are portrayed in that media and have an understanding that you as an outsider looking in should be careful with the lenses you analyze that media in because you have a different perspective that is not catered to?

[horrorwomensource]

Eihi Shiina as Asami Yamazaki AUDITION (1999) dir. Takashi Miike

[02void]

The Birds (1963)

[dytabytes]

There's something to be said about how modern films often don't take the time to dress the set with visual clutter the way older ones did. I feel like the movies of today keep "homes" so shiny and neat that they truly don't feel lived in. It does lend to the subconscious recognition that "this isn't real" that makes suspending disbelief harder :<

horror movies are so much scarier when the actors look like an average sampling of the human population. and the house is a little messy

[389]

Nimoy, Sutherland, Goldblum

[joanna-lannister]

MARIE ANTOINETTE (2006) dir. Sofia Coppola

[rodrickheffeley]

Superman (2025) dir. James Gunn

[cinematicjourney]

Loving Vincent (2017) | dir. DK Welchman, Hugh Welchman

[deathtown]

Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)

[bordatellas]

Ornella Muti in Léonor (1975)

[roseillest]

红色娘子军 // THE RED DETACHMENT OF WOMEN (1961) dir. XIE JIN