Last month through the grapevine that is Twitter I learned about a BBW documentary called Fat Girls Float. My first thought when I heard the title was, "of course they do!" As I watched the clips what struck me was the shared universal views and experience on being fat and living life fully.
This past week I was able to chat briefly with the thirty-nine year old film maker from New York City -- Kira Nerusskaya -- about her project which is still in the production. Kira started filming Fat Girls Float in 2006 at a BBW Bash in Las Vegas. This was followed by trips to Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Paris, London, Russia and of course throughout New York City.
Kira on Filming
"I was schlepping equipment by myself everywhere I went. Sometimes a kind soul would do me the favor and "hold this, please". I did a lot of moving around on foot in Moscow, and although the subway is fabulous and clean, and very familiar to me--it was hard on my shoulder. I had a 'different' patch of skin that was black and blue even, on my left shoulder for close to a year after because the shoulder strap rubbed back and forth so much. Hey, you know the deal -- we suffer for our art!"
Throughout her travels she talked to many women from different lifestyles, cultures, and races. But all of them had a common thread that binds them -- their body size.
Kira on the Women
"The women are from all walks of life, as fat has no boundary. I wanted as much of a mix as I could get in relation to age and background, size and shape, and race and ethnicity. I did pretty well, I'd like to think; but, in my mind... I can always find someone else to talk to!
Because this documentary is an independent production Kira has been raising funds to move it into the end stages of production. She is doing this by getting the word out to the fat community and beyond. Money is currently being collected through the website Kickstarter which makes it convenient to participate (no donation is too small) The page dedicated to Fat Girls Float shows the amount necessary and the current amount raised. At this moment Kira has reached almost 80% of her $5000 goal.
Kira on What Happens Next
"I have invested a number of years, countless hours, and over twelve thousand dollars out of my very own pocket thus far. This part of fundraising will allow me to get to the next step of post-production. I will be able to have some animation created and it will allow me to find an editor that will help finely shape what I have shot to date. Even though I plan on two more location shoots, those are being paid out of my pocket. From there, I hope to finish in about a year from now. I am hoping in under a year! Hopefully people will feel compelled to donate [see link below], knowing how we are treated on the street and in society. I feel the more we help each other the more we help ourselves."
To get a feel for Fat Girls Float watch this six minute teaser video highlighting some of the lovely and vocal women from the documentary who have something to say about life, living, and being fat:
Learn more about contributing to Fat Girls Float production costs.
