GETTING FAT IN A HEALTHY WAY

Getting Fat in a Healthy Way is an intriguing light-hearted drama that was released in 2015. It’s a 22-minute Bulgarian short film set in a dystopian future, yet it combines elements of humor, science, and fantasy while discussing real societal problems.

The film features talented Bulgarian actors like Ovanes Torosian (known for his role in Eastern Plays, 2009), who brings the character of Constantine to life; Petyo Cekov (The Petrov File, 2015), taking on the role of Kiril, the father; and Keti Raykova as Ines, Constantine’s love interest.

The bizarre and otherworldly universe of "Getting Fat in a Healthy Way" exists in a world where gravity is significantly less than Earth's due to a cosmic catastrophe from the solar system. Living in this altered environment has unusual consequences for the human race - most people have become incredibly thin and their weight has reduced, making them vulnerable.

In this unique setting, we meet our protagonist, Constantine. He is the only person unaffected by the change in gravity and is therefore considered the "heaviest" man alive, weighing around 120 kg compared to the others who hover around 40 kg. While he is physically normal by our world standards, in his gravity-stricken universe, Constantine is unjustly stigmatized due to his distinct difference.

On top of Constantine's struggles with societal norms, dealing with his father, Kiril, is another challenge. Kiril is overly protective and obsessed with health food, insisting on his special diet regimen for Constantine in his bid to save his son from getting "fat." He believes in staying perpetually thin as a way of combating the gravity issues.

Amid these complications, Constantine’s personal life brightens up as he encounters Ines. A beautiful new arrival in their apartment building, Ines is naturally thin due to the gravitational aberrations, making her the object of Constantine’s affection. However, Ines has her fears and apprehensions about Constantine's physical difference, much like the rest of their society.

The film captures the nuances of their unique world while, at the same time, compellingly focusing on Constantine's personal struggles. The essence of the movie rests on his constant endeavor to fit into societal standards while worrying about the repercussions of his weight on his romantic aspirations. It takes the very real, current-day issues of body shaming, societal expectations, and fear of the unfamiliar, and moves them to a fantastical setting, enabling an instructive, larger discussion about acceptance and love.

Director Kevork Aslanyan masterfully combines satire and the grotesque edge of the dystopian society with a strong emotional landscape. By creating an abnormal universe with typical characters dealing with ordinary issues – teenage angst, parental tension, societal oppression, and love – he manages to balance out the spectacles in the film. It presents what would have been an otherwise dramatic storyline in a light-hearted yet poignant manner.

"Getting Fat in a Healthy Way" is a visually vibrant production, with the filmmakers' extraordinary attention to detail evident in the costumes, color palette, and production design that efficiently captures the essence of this bizarre universe. The film spectacularly creates a convincingly livable post-apocalypse environment, ironically filled with normal life's mundanity.

The soundtrack, composed by Petar Dundakov, creates an atmosphere that resonates with each scene's mood, elevating the narrative to greater heights. The balance between the story and its absurd dystopian setting is perfectly maintained by Antony Tanev's cinematography, which blends sci-fi elements with naturalistic lighting to create a visually aesthetic piece.

In summary, "Getting Fat in a Healthy Way" serves as a paradox in its dystopia by housing a story about an individual's struggle for acceptance in a society that considers him abnormal. The film is emotionally resonant while also satirically presenting a story that addresses societal issues and the importance of self-acceptance. Despite its tongue-in-cheek title, the film conjures a unique cinematic journey that is as delightful as it is evocative. It is a distinctive masterpiece that continues to make its mark in the realm of short films.