By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Director: Ash Christian
Starring: Ash Christian | Ashley Fink | Deborah Theaker | Jonathan Caouette
Country: united_states
Year: 2006
Running time: 94
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0439179/
Michael says: “Our next film picked up on some of the bible-belt conflicts, but wrapped them in a teen comedy with a gay twist. FAT GIRLS is the directorial debut of 21-year-old, Texasn, Ash Christian. This refreshing tale may seem like the low-budget cousin to NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, but Christian, who wrote the screenplay when he was 19, directed and starred in it when he was 20, is thoroughly endearing and a little more reality-based (unlike the hijinks that almost seem like they’re from outer space in DYNAMITE.) Christian plays Rodney, an overweight, gay senior in high school from a tiny Texas town, a 350 pound best girlfriend, and a desire to get to New York and be a Broadway star. Naturally, his family, classmates, and fellow townsfolk don’t quite understand him. Stir in Jonathan Caouette (TARNATION) as the sympathetic teacher, and a bravura performance by Ashley Fink as the afore-mentioned Sabrina, and you’ve got just the right mix of teen drama, humor and quirkiness for a surprise success. Christian who conducted a humble and adorable Q&A, is a talented young man who is sure to go far in his career.”
Chris says: “Ash Christian is a talent to watch. Barely past the legal drinking age, he wrote, directed, produced and starred in
this slapdash but absolutely hilarious feature. Rodney, his alter-ego, is an outcast gay high school student in a small Texas town. Early on, he explains that anyone can be a ‘fat girl’ —it’s more of a state of mind than necessarily a physical attribute, although
his best friend Sabrina (perfectly cast Ashley Fink) is herself a literal, quintessential fat girl. Between dealing with his wackjob Christ-fearing parents (Mom is played by Deborah Theaker, best known from Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries) and giving secret handjobs to the school jock, he lusts after slight, pretty new British kid Joey and finds a mentor in teacher Mr. Cox (Jonathan Caouette of TARNATION).”