Moving Image Formats about Food- Blog 3 (음식은 좋은)

Hi everyone, I have reviewed another film to do with food, and gaining weight. Enjoy 

 

Plump Revolution (2012) 

 About the Film-

‘Plump Revolution’ ('통통 혁명') is a Koren film about a model who gains weight, mixed with romance and comedy elements that draws on a new and fresh approach to food, eating, and gaining weight.

Fixed on a model’s experience about weight within the Koren fashion industry, the film follows how the determination to find love, drives her to almost give up her career through gaining weight.

The first part of the film shows her modeling, her life, her sized body and what she does to keep at that weight. This involves extreme work out at home (and controlling her brother’s diet), only drinking water or iced tea which has no calories in, and having boring meals with no flavoring or taste.

Once a new fashion photographer comes in to take pictures of her, everything goes tits up. It is clear that he doesn’t enjoy photographing her, which makes her lose focus in her modeling. She begins to like him, but it is soon clear that he doesn’t like her because she is so skinny. After meeting a psychic in a restaurant, who tells her to change her ways, she gets the help of her brother and friends to start eating.

The next stage of the film cuts to the near future that shows a dramatic change in her weight, facially and later shown in her body. The difference in amazing! I won't give too much away, but WOW (eye popping/O...M...G...). The next stage of the film is showing the aftermath and consequences of gaining that weight- very interesting! 

Despite the film been spoken in Koren however, which you can't understand, watching it you can tell what is happening, and can understand what is being said due to body language, facial expressions, tones of the voices, and interactions between characters. 

The Feel of the Film- 

 

In reality, actress Lee So Jung who played the model in the story, had to gain 20 kg (3.14 stone), in two weeks for her new movie role in Plump Revolution. Apparently, she had to eat 10,000 calories a day in order to gain that much weight within the two-week period. It sounds completely insane, but she did do it! realistically speaking, it is dangerous to gain weight THAT fast, but while watching the film, as an audience, you don’t think of the negatives about this film, because on the surface it doesn’t have any.

The main reason why this film works, is because all the weight gained by Lee So Jung is real. In most films to do with weight gaining or modifying parts of the body, its all fake. It is amazing that this actress went the extra mile to do this film. you hear of actors losing weight or gaining for a movie role, but the determination for this role is shown through how much she had to gain throughout so little time. 

Personal Experience from the Film- 

 

I love this film as its totally a new look into gaining weight, and the love of food. I won't give away the ending of the film, but lets just say its very ironic. It made me not only understand my partner's reasons more for liking me with more weight on, but understand more about my own cravings for food, and the psychological side to eating and gaining weight.

To begin with, admittedly I was completely not sure about this film, but after watching it twice (one after another), I was hooked. I would keep watching this film on a weekly basis if i could, but unfortunately it is very hard to get hold of, DVD wise, to watch online or even download. But if you can get hold of it, watch it! It has not only shown me the difference in this area, of food and eating, but it again makes you hungry! Also, she looks better with weight on. 

Due to this, I have started to look into similar films like this, which I will be reviewing in the future too. This Koren film pushes the boundries of what people think about eating and gaining weight- its definitely changed my mind about the whole thing, so check it out!

THE REAL WOMEN CAMPAIGN- TRUE OR LIE? Blog 1

The “real women” campaigns that have suddenly become THE trend in marketing, is it really brands and companies paying attention to what the consumer really wants to see, hear and purchase, or is it just extremely clever advertising?

Having photographs on print based adverts looking natural with no make up, or slightly touched up, seeing women in all of her glory rather than the perfect outline of what the perfect woman should look like in a figure hugging dress. Capturing a woman, or group of women together displaying their true beauty and perfectness of their imperfections is what we want to see.

This can be seen throughout any aspects of beauty whether its advertising clothes, having the clothes modelled on slimmer bodies, and advertising make up. Lingerie, shoes, you name it anything to do with making a woman look good has been tampered with whether its in the preproduction stage, production stage or post-production stage, which usually involves a heavy amount of photoshop. Unfortunately we do not see anything that hasn’t been modified, even an image that looks natural and real has had something done to it.

However, there are some marketing campaigns and adverts that have played on this ‘wanting the real’, and have embarked on a direction to captivate woman audiences.

The most famous advert campaign is ‘Dove’, with it’s slogan ‘real women’.  Launched in 2004, and aimed to give women confidence about their bodies and how they look, it was celebrated by woman and the fashion and beauty world as THE step forward for proper heart to heart with women and what they want. 

  The beauty product company Dove sells skin, hair and body products, anything from lotions, creams, deodorant and so on. With the pictures used for their campaign ‘real beauty’ was shot by photographer Rankin, this did not only give the campaign true edge to it’s images, but a sense of truth. Rankin is known for his natural beauty look in his work, which made the campaign for Dove even more real. 

With it’s campaign, Dove set out to show women that they can look naturally beautiful without all the mess of using lots of products, if they used their products. By using for instance a face cream, it would make your skin look smooth, youthful and healthy, without using lots of foundation and skin makeup in order to look gorgeous.

I admit that if a product makes you feel fresh, relaxed and it smells nice we tend to just give into the product and tell ourselves that it says what it tells us on the label or the adverts. Whether the products of Dove helps, was not the message of the campaign. It was mainly about confidence in natural beauty, and if women use Dove’s products, they will feel confident too. 

This was the true big step for a lot of industries, and really set the pace for other ‘real women’ campaigns to follow in the coming years. Despite not using Dove products at all, I was impressed by their massive marketing of it, and the diversity of ages, colours and types of beauty they displayed. 

Whether this again was intentional advertising, or really doing a heart to heart with the customers, we will never know. 

Moving Image Formats about Food- Blog 2 (Bon Appetit)

Hey everyone,
Despite planning to review my first film of this blog until next week, I couldn't wait so I've done it early :)

Julie and Julia (2009) 

  About the film-

Julie and Julia film is based on two stories:- a woman who learns to cook to use up her free time, and a woman who goes through all the receipts in her idols cook book.

Looking at food, the desire of food, the passion of food, and hunger to eat is all seen within this movie. 
At the very beginning of the film, it is made very clear that character Julia Childs loves butter, and loves food. This is shown in the first scene of Julia and her husband eating their first meal in a Parisian restaurant, before they move into their new house. As well as this on more than one occasion throughout the film, not only does the older couple have conversations about food, and share one anothers company within the main restrictions of the kitchen, but they share their meals in restaurants, feeding each other and sharing the pleasure of particular courses. Within the film, Julia Childs attends cooking classes for professionals, to learn how to cook due to her admiration for cooking and food. As well as this, the fact that she is always in the kitchen cooking, or out buying ingredients for cooking, and looking at food, displays her passion for it. The fishmongers market, bakery- she is there. 

  

As for the other part of the film, the young woman Julie, and her husband, also enjoys each other’s company over food and conversation after a long day at work. As she says within the film, “cooking is something I do to get away from what I do all day”. This shows that she not only loves cooking but is absorbed by it. the fact that character Julie works in a cubicle answering questions and enquiries on the results of the event of 9/11, in a insurance company, food is what seems to get her through the day and looking forward to being in the kitchen cooking.

The feel of the film-

Both stories are wonderfully linked together, and yes this film definitely makes you want to eat! Steak is one of the things that you crave throughout this film. Some of the speechless moments when Julia Childs character, (played by Meryl Streep), when she eats certain foods, just makes your mouth water. Amy Adam’s character Julie Powell, also makes you want to start cooking some of the things within the story, such as baguette bread with tomato mixture on top, and beef bourguignon (I will be trying these out at some point). Despite the baguette bread with tomato mixture on top meal, not being in Julia Child’s cook book, it still looks tasty.

 

I feel that butter is completely promoted within this film, its brought up several times, used in more than one recipe and the tone and way the characters speak about food within this movie is beautiful. You can tell that there is a real love for not only cooking, but home cooking, proper cooking. Making things from scratch tastes a lot better. This is the sort of film you want to be watching while scoffing down your most favorite meal of all time. Trust me- it works! 

My personal experience/influence from the film-

I have never been into cooking, not proper cooking for that matter; I have always been the sort of person to cook because I need to eat to get me through the day. However recently through out the last year or so, I have developed my taste buds, expanded my interests, and have started to eat for passion and pleasure, enjoying my meals with the various flavors rather than eating because its just lunchtime.

Due to this factor, and now haven watched the film more than 10 times within a monthly period when i first got it, it has got me really into not only wanting to try new meals and recipes, but wanting to learn to cook more than just pasta, a roast dinners, and different types of red meat all the time. Not that I will always be cooking from scratch everything that I produce from the oven or hob for every evening meal, but its nice to start to know that if you do fancy more than just the usual meal of meat and veg and wanting a bit more enjoyment out of a meal, then I know I can do it.

I have yet to try some of the recipes from the book, or even buy Julia Childs massive thick cook book, but the film has persuaded me to at least start to look into it. I have, of course, got the movie that came with a smaller version of the cookbook. I have looked over that, and despite a few things not to my taste (for instance I don’t like parsnips); I can at least adapt some meals to my liking. 

  So I suppose what I am trying to say is that my experience from watching the movie, not only makes you really hungry and craving steak, butter and fancy restaurant meals, but it does encourage one to take some sort of an interest in cooking, and learning more advanced stuff. Of course I just watch it to make me hungry so I have the excuse to eat (hehe), but it has definitely been one of those films which for me, if you want to watch a food film, it’s the first one that comes to mind.

I now because of this film, I want to learn how to cook more sophisticated meals, I have begun to enjoy food more, I want to expand my palate and it's not just because of this movie, but because of Julia Childs herself for writing the cookbook over nearly a decade, and to Julie Powell for cooking from the cookbook and blogging about, because if it weren't for them, this film wouldn't have got made, and inspired another generation to cook. 

Check out this film! There are so many aspects to it, that the food part is only the beginning. Meryl Streep's performance and interpretation of Julia Childs is excellent, and Amy Adams looks great, and.....just watch it.

Raquel

Moving Image Formats about Food- Blog 1

Hey all,
I have been watching a lot of documentaries, films and programmes about food throughout the months, and I have thought to maybe do reviews on what I thought of certain ones.

Dinners, Drive-ins and Dives (Nov 2006- present)

 Guy Fieri presents a food TV series, which features a road trip concept, where he goes to all the best diners, drive-in restaurants, and dive bars in Northern America. The majority of the places he goes to has comfort food written all over it, with burgers, pizzas, barbequed and deep fried menus. 

Whether its American traditional meals, receipt twists, or completely different ideas on cooking, Fieri is there to investigate. Not only is he shown the food and different meals, but is shown how they cook them (almost a behind the scenes in the kitchen), what they put in the receipts (very interesting!), and talks to the customers about how good the food is. 

Personally no matter which state in America his is in, what cafe or restaurant he is in, and whatever food he is looking into, it makes you WANT TO EAT! The steak and burger dishes really get me. More than a few times of watching them making and grilling burgers with all the mayo, lettuce etc, I have ordered in a burger meal hehe. Your mouth waters, you get hungry even though you have already eaten, and you just want to keep putting food inside you.

 

There has been a few other programmes with this similar concept, but Fieri does it a lot better. The cooks just make the food sound so mouthwatering and delicious, and as for Fieri's reactions, it is sometimes so brilliant. He's such an epic guy, cool and amazingly addicted to food.

You almost want to just go to America for their food lol. Not that British food isn't nice in its own way, sometimes you have to get a taste of other food cultures of other countries. If you were thinking of going over to America for a trip, or to live there, or just to try American food, this will totally convince you! It may be all grease, oiled and fatty comfort food on this programme, but it definately makes you want to gobble down the naughty food. 

Check out the program on the food network channel. Fieri also has his own cooking program- definitely planning to check that out.

Raquel 

Journey Plan for 2013

31st December, 2012

I apologies for not writing anything since November 2012, I have been concentrating on eating hehe

The last post of the year 2012, and I have thought a lot about what I am doing with my weight and food etc. I have gained weight since November to Christmas, and throughout the Christmas holidays. 

From this, I have researched quite a bit, and I have started to write a few things about different subjects. From this I have thought, why not write blogs about certain things every week or so? So starting tomorrow, in the year 2013, I will be writing blogs about-

-       Reviews on films about food and weight gain

-       Plus size clothing and brands

-       Plus size magazines/ columns

-       Plus size models/modelling

-       Plus size topics on TV

-       Influences

-       Curvy icons (new and old)

-       Curvy women/celebrities

-       Real women campaigns

-       Women and body confidence

-       Plus size curvy community

 ...and other such topic and subjects.  

You are welcome to recommend films, curvy women, models, clothing brands etc to me and I will research and review them.

I do realise that with myself being only a size 10, I am not plus size or curvy in the pudgy sense compared to some people. But I feel that if I am going to gain weight and get bigger, and go into bigger sizes, I’d like to understand about the society/community side and the world of bigger bodies. It is also interesting to learn more about things which I haven’t taken an interest in. 

I have been the smaller size and been very ill, and I know and understand that side to it, but I do not know and understand from the opposite end. I am trying not only to educate myself, but others about this new movement and the acceptance of the bigger sizes. 

Apologies if I hurt or offend anyone, but it is just me going on a journey, learning along the way, and writing about it. 

Raquel 

More Spring Rolls & Getting Bigger

Hey all, 

CHINESE SPRING ROLLS! I am in love with them, easy to eat, easy to portion, and it’s a picking food that I am into at the moment. I am not eating as much chocolate as I think I am subconsciously thinking about meals and trying to eat a balanced diet. I used to have lots of chocolate, but I am actually not bothered about it, I’ll maybe have some type of chocolate to pick at like buttons just to cure my mini cravings after suddenly three days, but I am turning into not such a chocoholic. 

 I suppose that is a good thing that I am thinking more about eating proper food and more carbs since its winter now. One needs to eat more over the colder periods anyway, as the body uses up more calories and energy to keep the body warm, so eating more over the winter/xmas period is completely fine. I am looking forward to eating shit loads at Christmas! 

Wearing my size 10 jeans again, and the belt still, however I have tightened one whole in the belt, so I am getting bigger. Also wearing my bigger sized bras too which I am happy about. No scales yet, but I think once I start to feel like I did at over 8 stone, I’ll maybe weight myself, but its not on my list of things to do. 

Only after weeks until Christmas, wonder how big I will be then...?

Raquel 

Kardashian Kollection (bigger sizes?)

Hey all,
I have recently discovered about a new fashion range that the Kardashian sisters are doing in collaboration with Dorothy Perkins has just been announced.

First off I have to admit that I am not a fan of the Kardashian sisters, their family or reality TV shows. Despite this, I have become a fan of their figures currently, especially with Kim since she starting dating Kanye West. She has gained weight and looks amazing! Yes ok the sisters are known for their amazing hourglasses frames, but they are also slim. Kim recently shows that with weight on and looking more round whilst having an hourglass figure, than just being slim looks waaaayyyy better.

With the girls new fashion range coming out 8th November, I have had a look at some of the products and as well as the glamor factor that surrounds their fashion styles, you can definitely see the inspiration for the clothing designs due to their figures. The dresses are patterns and cut in such a way that an hourglass figured woman would have to wear it. These and the tops are molded to shape the bust area, and cut in at the waist. The pencil skirts are made from the material that flatters hourglass figures, the type of material that stretches and sticks to the body. As well as this the jackets are cut with a V shape enhancing the bust area, and so the shape of the body. I am very happy seeing a line of clothing made for curvy and hourglass shaped women, a lot like Bravissimo doing clothes to shape your bust.

In the The Sun newspaper, (published Tues 6th Nov), the title of the article about this subject matter is "Curvy Girls' Clothing", and looking at the article written by the Daily Mail the size range of this new fashion line is not what I was expecting with all the news of clothes made for curvy women. Despite the fashion collection being for curvy ladies, there is only a size range of 5 sizes (UK 8-16). When I first came across the news of Dorothy Perkins doing a fashion deal with the sisters, I thought curvy meant big. I was expecting at least two more bigger sizes (18 & 20).

Now I have thought about it a bit more, I am not surprised. The Kardashian sisters are celebrities and I suppose in some form or another are fashion icons in the modern fashion world. Having that type of status against your name, one wouldn't want to promote what could be seen from their side, as obesity. Even though being bigger than a size 16 isn't obese, compared to the idealist world of being slimmer is healthier etc, I suppose that explains the lack of 'bigger sizes'. Looking at the size rage that Dorothy Perkins does, which is UK 6-22, there are three more sizes that Kardashian Kollection could have gone into (UK 18/20/22).

Agreeable I can't talk since I am a thick size 8 going into size 10 so it doesn't effect me, but that doesn't mean I enjoy being at the lower end. I see celebs like Christina Aguliera and Kim Kardashian recently seeing them gain weight so easily, and women who are at the bigger end of the spectrum, and want to get nearer to that. I think I have a desire to support the bigger end and women who are curvier than me because it helps me gain weight. Again despite the enjoyment of finding out that celebs are doing fashion lines for curvier women, its not quite gone into curvier meaning bigger yet. There are communities out there for bigger women, bigger fashion sizes etc you just have to look for them, and we are on a very slow moving journey towards having all sizes on the catwalks and in adverts etc, but its just starting the journey.

I am impressed with the fashion line of the Kardashian sisters, don't get me wrong, I just think that we are a long way off from the word curvy meaning big in the fashion industry, especially at current where you see a UK size 14-16 been categorized as plus size.

Raquel