A Matter of Fat
Encyclopedia
A Matter of Fat is a 1969 documentary film
by William Weintraub
chronicling the efforts of a 358-pound man, Gilles Lorrain, to lose half his body weight as part of a hospital supervised weight loss
program.
In the film, Lorrain recounts his life and experiences, often with humour. In one 21-second time lapse
sequence, Weintraub shows Lorrain's 150-pound weight loss, filmed at two frames a day for seven months. The film also shows Lorrain's return to his family after the gruelling program, and his conviction that he will be one of one in four dieters who can keep the weight off.
In addition to focusing on Lorrain's story, the film explores what other obese people are doing to lose weight, and hears from medical authorities on misconceptions and practices in the weight loss industry. A Matter of Fat also motivated the film's director to lose weight.
Produced by the National Film Board of Canada
, A Matter of Fat features narration by Lorne Greene
. The film received four awards, including the Etrog Award for best film over 30 minutes.
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
by William Weintraub
William Weintraub
William Weintraub, OC is a Canadian journalist, author, filmmaker and lecturer, best known for his long association with Canada's National Film Board ....
chronicling the efforts of a 358-pound man, Gilles Lorrain, to lose half his body weight as part of a hospital supervised weight loss
Weight loss
Weight loss, in the context of medicine, health or physical fitness, is a reduction of the total body mass, due to a mean loss of fluid, body fat or adipose tissue and/or lean mass, namely bone mineral deposits, muscle, tendon and other connective tissue...
program.
In the film, Lorrain recounts his life and experiences, often with humour. In one 21-second time lapse
Time Lapse
Time Lapse is the first live album by guitarist Steve Hackett. The album is drawn from live performances at the Savoy Theater in New York City and at Central TV Studios in Nottingham.-Track listing:...
sequence, Weintraub shows Lorrain's 150-pound weight loss, filmed at two frames a day for seven months. The film also shows Lorrain's return to his family after the gruelling program, and his conviction that he will be one of one in four dieters who can keep the weight off.
In addition to focusing on Lorrain's story, the film explores what other obese people are doing to lose weight, and hears from medical authorities on misconceptions and practices in the weight loss industry. A Matter of Fat also motivated the film's director to lose weight.
Produced by the National Film Board of Canada
National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada is Canada's twelve-time Academy Award-winning public film producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary, animation, alternative drama and digital media productions...
, A Matter of Fat features narration by Lorne Greene
Lorne Greene
Lorne Greene , was the stage name of Lyon Himan Green, OC, a Canadian actor.His television roles include Ben Cartwright on the western Bonanza, and Commander Adama in the science fiction movie and subsequent TV Series Battlestar Galactica...
. The film received four awards, including the Etrog Award for best film over 30 minutes.