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Film Treatment
Queer fat performer project
A documentary by Emma Corbett Ashby
‘I’ve learned that fat liberation occurs only when we embody is physically as well as accepting it politically and theoretically’ - Heather McAllister
Synopsis
The Queer Fat performer project (working title!) is feature length documentary from Sisu Productions in Berlin.
The film is about Queer and Fat-identified performance activists, and seeks to present a potent cocktail of politics, personal vision, performance art, activism, physicality and empowerment.
The film is being directed and produced by Emma Corbett Ashby (performance name: Goldie Dartmouth) a fat queer burlesque performer from Berlin, by way of the UK.
Director’s Statement
This project is conceived as part of a vision of mine to celebrate fat queer politics and the amazing work of fat creative activists worldwide.
As well as having a strong respect for all fat and queer embodied performers, I am also very interested in the particular nuances of fat activism and queerness via publicly physical outlets; the merging of the personal and the political, the theory and the practice, the cerebral processing and the physical acting out. I want to find out how individual performers interpret their queer fat activism and how they embody this through their performance. If we experience fat oppression as sited on the body, what paths to liberation have we created for ourselves using our bodies? And as Queers, how is our sexuality present?
The film recognises intersectionality and does not treat ‘Fat’ or ‘Queer’ in a single-issue fashion. There is respect for the uniqueness and validity of each individual subject’s perspective. This attitude and approach forms the core values of the film.
What spaces have we created for ourselves as fat queers on stage? Where do we see the future?
The inspiration for this project came largely from reading Heather McAllister’s brilliant chapter in the recently-published Fat Studies Reader concerning embodiment and performance as crucial to fat activism. I wholeheartedly agree that a Queer Fat body on stage, as something other than a joke, is a truly radical act. I also believe in the inherent power of owning and expressing sexuality as a Queer Fat person. I offer this film partly out of respect and homage to Heather’s vision, and also in the hopes of highlighting and celebrating the many individuals who continue to perform as proud Fat Queers.
Information for interested participants
The film is built around the traditional documentary framework of individual and group interviews and will also include footage of live performance (where permissible). I may also include personal narration and archive footage.
I want the film to have a strong aesthetic component where possible, so some footage will be carefully planned, whereas other footage will be shot spontaneously.
As a film maker, I want to introduce the participants of the film as performers, activists and individuals, so that it’s a well rounded, three dimensional portrait. Where circumstances allow I would plan a number of interviews over a period of time, as I feel that is the best way to get to know an interviewee. I am more interested in creating a film that enables the audience to really gain insight and appreciation into a small number of individual performers – rather than creating a generalised overview of all the Queer Fat performers there are out there. This will involve some difficult edit decisions for me, but the end result will be a more effecting film.
Who I am looking for
Innovative Fat Queer identified performers who have an intentional relationship between their personal politics and their performance persona. This is open to interpretation. I don’t mean that the performances themselves necessarily have to be political, but I would love participants to have strong opinions that link themselves as a performer with themselves in an activist/political context. When I talk about ‘embodied performance’ I’m thinking specifically about performance where physicality and physical movement is a component. So for instance, dance, burlesque, drag, theatre...again this is open to interpretation, but having physicality as a tangible component is an important part of the project.
I am seeking in depth interviews discussing whatever the participant feels is imperative in their performance, or what is important to them as a Queer Fat performer. This could be political, personal, abstract, artistic or (more likely!) a combination thereof. I am interested in personal journeys, I am interested in coming out stories, I am interested in intersectionality. I am interested in whatever you feel is important to share! I am also interested in hearing about the activist and creative background of the performer, and any other activism they engage in. The aim of this film is to empower and be an enriching experience for all participants. It is designed to be a showcase of your fabulous selves and a platform for your personal perspective as a Queer Fat performer.
In addition to filming, we will also be compiling a photographic exhibition of the participants which will eventually tour alongside the film. You can opt to not be a part of this and be in the film, or vice versa.
Terms and Conditions for Participants
This project has a fairly small budget and most of this will go on travel costs. But I don’t want anyone to be out of pocket as a result of participating in this film, and I want everyone to be fairly compensated for the time and effort they put in. Low budget doesn’t have to mean under appreciated!
At the moment I can cover all practical costs for interviews (travel fares, lunch, etc.) and the participant will also receive a copy of the film and a copy of any photography featuring themselves. Also, where possible, all participants will have free entry to film screenings. These conditions apply whether or not footage of the participant makes it into the final cut.
Thank you for taking the time to read this treatment. I look forward to meeting you in the future!
Goldie Dartmouth (aka Emma Corbett Ashby)
Goldie.dartmouth@googlemail.com
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