America the Beautiful

[videorecording] 2007. Sensory Overload Films presents: America the Beautiful: A film by Darryl Roberts. Written and directed by Darryl Roberts.

Plot Summary: America the Beautiful examines the self-image of Americans and their obsession with beauty. It explores a number of different themes, including following the career of a 12 year old fashion model who is 6 foot tall and wears a size 1. Unfortunately by the time she is 13 she has graduated to a size 4 and is “too fat” to model anymore. Plastic surgery is discussed, including plastic surgery for the “perfect vagina.” How magazine ads use airbrushing and other photo enhancement techniques to create the perfect look is also demonstrated. Unfortunately, this movie earned a very controversial “R” rating, keeping it from being seen by those who could most benefit –the teenagers who feel they are “ugly” because they don’t conform to America’s artificial beauty norms.

Roberts says he started with an impromptu survey of women in Chicago. He asked 200 women if they felt they were attractive. Only two said yes. This began his journey into the world of models, magazine covers and his mission that women are being seriously mistreated by the advertising industry if 99% of them feel they are unattractive. "I knew the movie was starting to touch on something profound when I flew out to New York to tell all these magazine editors about my findings, that the images they print are having this profound, lasting effect on the women who see them. They laughed in my face." (http://www.nysun.com/arts/america-the-beautiful-a-problem-of-self-image/82590/).

Critical evaluation: This is a very important film. It documents how beauty standards in this country are unattainable and artificial, encouraging unhealthy behavior that in some cases has at times led to death. Robert moves from impromptu street interviews of women, to frank discussions with advertising agency representatives to models who are told they are too fat. He shows how makeup in this country includes 400 ingredients deemed harmful and banned in Europe. I feel that this would greatly benefit anyone who watches it-—men and women of all ages. Find out more about the film at http://americathebeautifuldoc.com/

Reader’s Annotation: Do Americans have an unhealthy obsession with beauty?

About the author: Darryl Roberts was born and raised in Chicago. America the Beautiful is his first documentary. He studied marketing and accounting in school, but later when in Los Angeles, decided he wanted to make a movie. Before making America the Beautiful, he made the romantic comedy, The Perfect Model, and How I Like Me Now.

Genre: Documentary

Curriculum ties: If it wasn’t for the pesky R rating, this film could be used to trigger discussions of beauty and self-image.

Booktalking Ideas: How responsible are the fashion and advertising industries for American women’s low self-image?

Challenge issues: Unfortunately, this film was rated “R” which precludes it’s use among most of our target age group. Many feel that this rating is erroneous and the film should be a “PG-13”. The film was listed in the 2010 YALSA Fabulous Films and Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults. (http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6724228.html#Documentaries)