INTERVIEW: How ‘Phat Girlz’ propelled body positivity, Afrobeats

Nineteen years in the past, trailblazing Hollywood filmmaker Nnegest Olufunmilayo Likké’s debut movie, ‘Phat Girlz’, bounced its large, stunning, curvy storyline into theatres, decided to make historical past.

And what a historical past it made! ‘Phat Girlz’ not solely captivated viewers with its compelling storyline and celebration of self-love but additionally left an indelible mark on world black cinema and bridged the cultural hole between Africans and African People.

Launched globally on 7 April 2006 by twentieth Century Fox Studios, the rom-com showcased an all-star black solid. Academy Award-winning actress Mo’Nique performed the lead function because the attractive and fascinating love curiosity of heartthrob Jimmy Jean-Louis, who performed Dr Tunde. Extra key solid members included the hilarious Nigerian-American comic Godfrey Danchimah and award-winning thespian Dayo Ade.

Ms Likké, who wrote and directed the groundbreaking movie, has a singular tri-cultural background—she’s half-Ethiopian, African-American, and Nigerian–which she describes as being like a strolling dish of fufu, injera, and fried rooster. On this PREMIUM TIMES interview, she speaks in regards to the award-winning movie.

PT: Congratulations on the nineteenth anniversary of Phat Girlz. What sort of feelings does this milestone evoke in you?

Likké: I’m ecstatic! It feels a bit surreal. Reflecting on after I was filming this film 20 years in the past, I bear in mind my hopes for this movie and its outreach. I used to be praying it will contact girls worldwide, particularly African and African-American girls, for whom the movie is primarily made. I wished to make a movie that makes individuals fall in love with Africa, significantly Nigeria, which I think about my third dwelling after America and Ethiopia.

I’m half Ethiopian, African-American and Nigerian, and I’ve been visiting Nigeria since I used to be 10. I’ve labored extensively within the nation, consulting, producing, and directing and have additionally served as a juror for the Africa Magic Viewers’ Selection Awards (AMVCA). I’ve household residing in Oyo State and Delta State in Isoko.

The success of this stunning Nigerian-American love story and its impression on a number of generations, together with the youthful generations who’re simply now discovering the movie, is a testomony to the rising body-positivity motion. This movie’s changing into a cult basic has blown my thoughts and surpassed my wildest desires! It’s a reminder that magnificence is available in all styles and sizes and that everyone deserves love and respect.

PT: On the time, physique positivity wasn’t a mainstream dialog. What impressed you to sort out this theme?

Likké: Properly, I’ve all the time been a plus-size lady. And rising up in a “minus-size” world – which is America – the place thin-is-in and fat-is-whack was very difficult. And onerous on the conceit. It corrupted my self-image till I used to be sufficiently old to grasp I used to be stunning. One of many issues that helped me realise I used to be stunning was all my journeys to Africa rising up.

After I travelled to Nigeria, Ethiopia and different African nations with my mother rising up, I all the time received compliments on my naturally thicker measurement, and even girls would inform me it’s not good to be skinny. Their notion was that being skinny or too skinny with “no meat on their bones” made a lady look malnourished and underdeveloped. Being full-figured was all the time most popular in Nigeria and Ethiopia again after I was rising up. Issues didn’t change till they began being influenced by America’s warped magnificence requirements and seeing all of these anorexic-looking supermodels. A few of them seemed like pores and skin and bones, and the modelling trade made them starve themselves to look that method.

So, sooner or later, I rated magnificence requirements as subjective, relying on the place you reside and what trade you’re employed in. I made a decision to make it a comedy since I like writing and making individuals giggle. I then developed the storyline, together with the Nigerian characters and love story parts. I used to be so impressed whereas writing that I completed the script in three weeks. My reps liked it and despatched it to Mo’Nique’s agent as a result of she was the one I had in thoughts whereas writing the dialogue. Mo’Nique additionally liked the script and referred to as to inform me she was on board. I’m joyful that thickness is now in America and that the body-positivity revolution has begun as a result of I’ll all the time be a thick madame!

PT: Earlier than Phat Girlz, how did Hollywood and Nollywood usually painting physique picture, and what gaps did you are feeling wanted to be addressed?

Likké: Earlier than Phat Girlz – and to a big diploma even today- there’s nonetheless physique prejudice within the movie trade. Greater ladies can get roles, however normally, the roles will not be for romantic curiosity or leads. The characters are usually flawed or undesirable or there for comedian reduction or help to the thin “stunning” buddy. Phat Girlz remains to be one of many solely – if not the one – Hollywood films the place an enormous lady has a real love curiosity, and the joke is just not on her. I can’t consider one other movie that big-ups, large ladies like Phat Girlz do. Meaning the issue nonetheless exists right now in Hollywood. Not a lot anymore in broader society. I discover increasingly more girls having a wholesome physique picture no matter measurement, and I adore it. I can’t assist however assume Phat Girlz performed a job on this shift, and I’m delighted about that. I believe Nollywood and Africa, normally, are nonetheless a lot much less judgmental about girls’s physique varieties. In Africa, large girls don’t have an issue discovering a person, particularly within the older generations. Nonetheless, the issue nonetheless exists in America, though it has improved considerably.

PT: Has the movie trade’s notion modified over time, or is figure nonetheless to be carried out?

Likké: There’s nonetheless work to be carried out. The movie trade’s notion and remedy of non-thin girls haven’t modified a lot. Arguably, roles are extra various, and you could find actors and actresses of any measurement in films. However it’s infrequently within the lead function or a romantic function. Hopefully, Hollywood will catch up quickly, or I’ll make Phat Girlz 2 and name all Nigerian billionaire traders! Let’s make a film.

PT: What suggestions or tales from viewers have caught with you over time?

Likké: Oh, there are such a lot of! Each day, on social media platforms, particularly on X, individuals tweet about Phat Girlz and the way the film impacted them. Folks say their lives have been modified, and it’s their go-to film to really feel higher every time they really feel low. The posts are from individuals of all ages and races, together with men and women. Many are of the youthful technology, age 20 and up. I thank God for utilizing the film to assist and encourage individuals.

One other form of suggestions I get is from many black American girls telling me they wish to go stay in Africa and discover a Dr. Tunde. I like this as a result of it means the narrative shift is occurring.

PT: Do you are feeling the movie’s message nonetheless resonates with audiences right now?

Likké: The movie’s message resonates much more considerably right now than when it was launched. Phat Girlz was method forward of time, and mainstream tradition’s simply now catching up. When launched, the movie was focused by varied mainstream media critics in America who hated the pro-African message and the love-yourself-no-matter-your-size spirit. However what sort of individual is in opposition to positivity and a wonderful film selling self-love? Now everybody’s saying Africa’s superior; it’s the brand new frontier! And physique positivity is sweet; let’s get a BBL! One other message the movie promotes is “Following your desires and utilising your pure presents to succeed. Don’t be afraid to attempt once more; by no means take no for a solution. There are such a lot of nice messages packed inside that 100-minute film. So, if you happen to haven’t seen it, now’s the time to test it out on its nineteenth anniversary.

PT: You might be referred to as a pioneer of cross-genre movies; how did that occur for you about Phat Girlz?

Likké: Properly, I believe my life represents a cross-genre. I’m half Ethiopian, African-American and Nigerian. I used to be born and raised in America however spent a lot of my childhood in Africa and travelling all over the world with my mother, a jet setter. She took me all over the place, not simply in African nations however throughout Europe and the Caribbean. So, I used to be uncovered to many alternative cultures worldwide; my various experiences naturally got here out in my writing and knowledgeable the sorts of tales I inform.

Another movies I produced embody “Every part However A Man,” starring Jimmy Jean-Louis, and the Netflix Authentic “A Sunday Affair,” which I wrote however didn’t straight direct. Each movies debuted at #1 on Netflix and remained the highest trending titles amongst viewers.

PT: Afrobeats is now a world sensation, however it’s nonetheless rising. How do you are feeling about having performed a job in introducing it to worldwide audiences by ‘African Queen’?”

Likké: I really feel so blessed and honoured to have performed a job in introducing Afrobeats to worldwide audiences by ‘African Queen. It was one of the best track of its day. Issues have modified a bit now, they usually appear to be transferring in direction of American-style hip-hop and R&B. Nonetheless, I wish to encourage all of the Afrobeats artists to keep up their originality, uniqueness and African-ness. Afrobeats with out the “Afro” is simply “beats”. Hold it African. Be totally different, new, contemporary. Hold reinventing your self. Don’t comply with American hip-hop – or another fashion besides your individual. It’s okay to evolve, swap it up, be influenced by one other fashion, and collaborate with artists in several genres. That’s cool. However don’t abandon your authentic and natural fashion, which units you other than the pack. ‘Trigger Africa is the place all the pieces began and the place it’s gonna finish. Mama Africa has all the time been the true world chief and trendsetter, so don’t neglect you’re the blueprint.

I believe Afrobeats as a style is at a crossroads and must determine if it’s gonna be a follower or a frontrunner. African Queen is an iconic track as a result of, so simple as it was, it struck a common chord with the world. Everybody liked that track. There are numerous hits within the Afrobeats style, however will these songs stand the take a look at of time and nonetheless be banging 20 years like African Queen is?

PT: In any case these years, what do you think about the movie’s most essential legacy?

Likké: Phat Girlz’s most essential legacy is straightforward: love your self. Love your self like a nice diamond by thick and skinny, ups and downs, and highs and lows. By no means abandon or betray your self or criticise your self about something. And don’t let anybody else do it, both. Not an individual or society. Embrace each single one in all your physique components. If there’s one thing you don’t like or want to enhance, work on it with out judging your self. Embrace all of your so-called flaws as a result of they’re what make you distinctive. Take into account the phrase “imperfect” and the way it’s spelled. That phrase can both imply imperfect prefer it’s spelt or if you happen to add some house between letters, it could actually imply “I excellent”. Similar letters, however totally different spacing provides it a special that means.

PT: How has partaking with Nigerian tradition influenced your inventive journey?

Likké: Significantly and magnificently! I wouldn’t be the filmmaker I’m right now if it weren’t for Nigeria and Nigerian tradition. There are not any different individuals on earth fairly like Nigerians. They’re probably the most resourceful and imaginative individuals on the planet. I hope to make many extra movies within the nation and collaborate with native Nigerian artists and filmmakers.