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Fitness and Weight (9)
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Age Is No BarrierFrancis Damberger 1989 24 minThis short documentary features a group of seniors called the "U of Agers" who meet twice a week at the University of Alberta to do gymnastics. The U of Agers are just "ordinary" people trying to do "extraordinary" things and confirm that if they can do gymnastics, then others in Canada have the potential to excel at whatever inspires them. -
Beauty Begins Inside - The Pressure ZoneSheila Murphy 1995 11 minThe Pressure Zone is a hilarious send-up of the forces that try to shape adolescent minds and bodies. Two mirrors--one promoting the perfect body through a merciless regime of muscle building and dieting, the other through tapping into the "essential essence" via meditation and herbal remedies--vie for loyal customers. As each advertises their vision as the right way, the teens are prodded, taunted and provoked into submission by making them believe that their bodies need improvement, but then the teenagers take control back from the mirrors and accept themselves from the inside out.
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The Challenge in Old CrowGeorges Payrastre 2006 54 minThis documentary focuses on the Yukon's Far North, where 280 Aboriginal people live in the village of Old Crow. Deep in this wilderness, the health of the children is a source of concern—the rise in obesity, diabetes and delinquency rates underscores the extent to which health and social problems are linked. With compassion and insight, this film shows how a handful of parents took control of a situation to ensure a future for their children.
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Fat ChanceJeff McKay 1994 1 h 12 minThis documentary follows Rick Zakowich as he faces his lifelong struggles with his weight and body image. Child therapist by day and blues singer by night, Rick's charisma and talent are undeniable, yet he remains fixed within the definition of a narrow label. The film takes on appearance-based oppression and fat-shaming by examining the ways in which society treats people whose bodies don’t necessarily match a narrow, unrealistic ideal of attractiveness. Instead of losing weight, Rick gains valuable insight, transformative new friendships, and a profound sense of self-confidence.
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Fit for Tomorrow1948 6 minThis short film from 1948 introduces Canadians to the Physical Fitness Act and the birth of the National Physical Fitness Council and Office. Through the federal government, provinces and communities assisted in the building of recreation centres and playgrounds, with the aim of creating a healthier and better-adjusted population.
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I Was a Ninety-pound WeaklingWolf Koenig & Georges Dufaux 1960 24 minA short 1960 documentary about physical fitness trends in the big city. Here you see modern man brought to bay by his own poundage, resolved to erase by exercise what rich food, idleness and age have put on.
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A Matter of FatWilliam Weintraub 1969 1 h 38 minThis feature-length documentary follows a man as he sheds nearly half his body weight (63.5 kg) by complete starvation under hospital observation. The film explores what brought him to so desperate a course and catalogues what actions other overweight people are taking, singly or in groups, to reduce to healthier proportions. Medical authorities comment on some misconceptions and malpractices of the slimming industry.
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ShreddedDouglas C. Taplin & Richard Gaudio 2005 22 minThis short film follows a group of teenage boys eager to emulate the muscle-filled bodies of their media heroes. Revealing the lengths these boys are willing to go to achieve their goal, this film explores the use of supplements and the temptations of steroids. The boys relate their experiences, desires and motivations to the audience, who are left to draw their own conclusions.
The film is designed to provoke discussion among teenagers about body image and where lines should be drawn between healthy and dangerous behaviour. -
The Weight of the WorldGlynis Whiting 2003 51 minThis fascinating documentary looks at obesity. Stockholm’s Dr. Stephan Rossner, an obesity specialist, proves beyond doubt that obesity is a man-made epidemic. Super-sized fast foods and a $12 billion ad industry are proving to be lethal when mixed with a car-dominated culture, urban sprawl and labour-saving technologies. This film was launched by the NFB and the CBC in partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and Physical and Health Education Canada.
