Fat Girl (2001)

Two sisters confront their sexual attitudes and experiences while on a family holiday.

Director:

Catherine Breillat

Writer:

Catherine Breillat

Stars:

Anaïs Reboux, Roxane Mesquida, Libero De Rienzo

4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anaïs Reboux	...	Anaïs Pingot
Roxane Mesquida	...	Elena Pingot
Libero De Rienzo	...	Fernando
Arsinée Khanjian	...	Mother
Romain Goupil	...	François Pingot / Father
Laura Betti	...	Fernando's Mother
Albert Goldberg	...	The Killer
Odette Barrière	...	Friend at Residence
Ann Matthijsse	...	Friend at Residence
Pierre Renverseau	...	Friend at Residence
Jean-Marc Boulanger	...	Friend at Residence
Frederick Bodin	...	Waiter
Michel Guillemin	...	Janitor
Josette Cathalan	...	Saleswoman
Claude Sésé	...	Police Officer (as Claude Sese)

Storyline

A Ma Soeur! is a provocative and shocking drama about sibling rivalry, family discord and relationships. Elena is 15, beautiful and flirtatious. Her less confident sister, Anais, is 12, and constantly eats. On holiday, Elena meets a young Italian student who is determined to seduce her. Anais is forced to watch in silence, conspiring with the lovers, but harbouring jealousy and similar desires. Their actions, however, have unforeseen tragic consequences for the whole family.

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Plot Keywords:

female frontal nudity | breasts | violence | teenage girl | sexuality | 

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Taglines:

A new provocation from the director of "Romance"

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French Italian English

Release Date:

7 March 2001 (France)

Also Known As:

Fat Girl

Filming Locations:

France

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$31,237, 14 October 2001, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$724,116, 23 March 2003

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arte France Cinéma,CB Films,Canal+

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Anaïs Reboux's mother lied to her about her dog dying in order to get her to cry for the crying scenes.

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Goofs

[All goofs for this title are spoilers.]

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Quotes

[last lines]
Police Officer: She says he took her in the woods, but he didn't rape her.
Anaïs Pingot: If you don't want to believe me, then don't.

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Alternate Versions

Although the UK theatrical version is uncut, the BBFC ordered the DVD version (released by Tartan Video) to be cut in order to achieve an "18" rating. 88 seconds were cut from a scene near the ending which depicts the rape of a 12-year old girl, as the BBFC claims the home version can be used "as part of the process of child abuse". The Australian DVD is uncut.

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Connections

Referenced in Brows Held High: The Anatomy of Hell (2012)

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Soundtracks

Social Climber
Performed by Laura Betti

User Reviews

Suddenly, Last Summer

Catherine Breillat's "Fat Girl" (2001) is an astounding movie that provides uncompromising and unblinking look at the relationship between two teenage sisters, and their first sexual experiences. The older sister, 15 years old Elena, has no problems attracting boys' attention and sexual desire and while on the family vacation, she meets an older, more experienced boy, who will say and promise anything to seduce her. There are two long, thorough and uncomfortable scenes of seducing Elena that take place in the girls' bedroom with the younger sister, 12 years old Anais, the fat girl of the title not quite asleep. Breillat remembers well what the hell it is to be a teenager, to be confused, frustrated, to think low of yourself, to be ready to enter the world of sexual relationships, to be ready for love, for intimate closeness and to pretend that you don't care about them at all. She also looks closely and with none a gram of sentimentality into siblings' and parents –daughters relationship. The scenes of cruelty and contempt the older sister treats the younger one alternate with rare but poignant moments of tenderness and understanding. Breillat takes us to places we don't go often and we don't want to go but they exist. If you've seen Brellat's movies already, you know that her outlook is not particularly happy, optimistic, or sentimental but "Fat Girl" will shock you as very few movies can. Just when you think that the movie is over and despite the disappointments, embarrassing revelations, and shameless manipulations, live goes on and has so much to offer, Breillat presents you with the final scene that is very difficult to watch and impossible to forget. It does not matter really if the final scene actually took place or was just a fantasy, just the dream projected on the screen.