Weighing 400 lbs. at the age of 40, Rick Zakowich decided to begin yet another diet. His goal: lose 200 lbs. Pumping iron, walking the treadmill, and eating apples instead of donuts netted Zakowich a total loss of 30 lbs. in 6 months. That's an impressive drop--but Zakowich was more unhappy than ever. While he had other social outlets (such as singing for a blues band, and working with abused children), he was still lonely, partnerless, and hanging on to the bottom rung of the self-esteem ladder. Fat Chance, a National Film Board of Canada production by Jeff McKay, chronicles how Rick Zakowich, a sad obese man, became Rick Zakowich, a proud and relatively happy man. Teaming up with Dr. Mo Lerner, another large man, Zakowich formed a support group, hit the Winnipeg airwaves with a radio spot, and traveled throughout North America attending conventions like NAAFA's (National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance). At one meeting, he meets a woman who recalls her painful experiences as a young adult being harassed by her peers, a story which brings tears to Zakowich's eyes (as well as the viewer's). While nothing can change the fact that pronounced obesity is a health hazard (the untimely death of John Candy is a sad testament to that fact), Fat Chance reminds us that heavy people are, like all of us, people first. Funny, endearing, and, at times, quite moving, Fat Chance is an excellent program (with a price tag unfortunately out of most libraries' budgetary reach). For those who can afford it, this is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (R. Pitman)
Fat Chance: The Big Prejudice
(1994) 72 min. $275. Bullfrog Films. PPR. Color cover. Closed captioned. ISBN: 0-7722-0501-9. Vol. 10, Issue 3
Fat Chance: The Big Prejudice
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