Educational Media Reviews Online

“It’s not always easy to be visible – it opens you up to commentary. Some people will respond to your challenge by hurling insults (or even milkshakes) or catcalling or mockery. [But] I would rather be seen than be invisible.” --–Marianne Kirby, fat activist and author

This empowering and liberating documentary-short by filmmaker Margitte Kristjansson embraces and celebrates the body of plus-size women. The film candidly addresses a wide range of issues and emotions from bullying to being independent and possessing self-confidence. The film opens with a montage of nude and semi-nude large women as photographed by the Adipositivity Project. According to their website, their mission is to “promote size acceptance, not by listing the merits of big people, or detailing examples of excellence (these things are easily seen all around us), but rather, through a visual display of fat physicality.”

More specifically, the film presents the views of two twenty-five-year-old San Diego residents and fat activists whose visible presence on various social networks have made them unofficial spokespersons for large girls and women. African American Keena Bowden, and Caucasian Jessica Jarchow openly discuss and blog about past and current situations in which they are confident, upbeat, and visible, and conversely, negative encounters which leave them feeling vulnerable, deflated, and invisible.

Both Keena and Jessica unabashedly share stories about bullying, eating habits, and feeling ostracized. But, they also admit to being socially accepted due to their positive and confident attitude which attracts like-minded people. The two women selflessly continue to be visible in a number of ways. They join and lead support groups, and are avid bloggers with large followers. They enjoy sharing information about afro-centric art, bullying, body politics, and fashion. Keena and Jessica are but two fat-accepting activists who serve as inspirational role models for young girls and women everywhere.

Music by Télépopmusik, Shannon & the Clams and Tahir Jahi provide the perfect soundtrack to compliment this amazing and uplifting story.

I highly recommend this film for library collections in school, public, and academic libraries.