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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode guide us through the expanding universe of the moving image

Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode guide us through the expanding universe of the moving image revealing fascinating links and hidden gems from cinema and TV to streaming and beyond.

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Screenshot: Fat is a filmmaker issue

Fat is a filmmaker issue

BBC Radio 4 - Screenshot, Fat is a filmmaker issue

Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode explore how fatness is portrayed on screen.

Ellen E Jones and Mark Kermode explore how fatness is portrayed on screen, ahead of the UK release of controversial new film The Whale, starring Brendan Fraser as a 600lb man.

Brendan Fraser has been garnering standing ovations and awards nominations for his moving performance as a reclusive, morbidly obese teacher in Darren Aronofsky’s film The Whale.

His physical transformation into the 600lb Charlie, who is fighting for his life and his relationship with his daughter, required Fraser to gain weight and wear gruelling, high tech prosthetics. But in the 21st century, is it still ok to wear a fat suit? 

In this week’s Screenshot, Mark Kermode and Ellen E Jones explore the history, ethics and changing landscape of fat representation on screen.

Mark talks with writers Kayleigh Donaldson and Guy Lodge about the use of fat suits from Orson Welles to Friends, and The Whale. And they discuss why Hollywood rewards actors who undergo extreme physical transformations for their roles.

And Ellen discusses fat icons, the roles available to fat actors and the politics of the F word with podcaster Annie Rose Malamet, and comedian, actor and star of Strictly, Jayde Adams.

Also, writer, artist and broadcaster, Scottee picks his favourite viewing moments, in Viewing Notes

Producer: Freya Hellier
A Prospect Street production for BBC Radio 4

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