Actor Brendan Fraser arrived on September 4, 2022 to screen “The Whale,” which was shown at the 79th Venice International Film Festival.
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Actor Brendan Fraser arrived on September 4, 2022 to screen “The Whale,” which was shown at the 79th Venice International Film Festival.
Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty Images
Brendan Fraser is officially back.
Whalethe new Darren Aronofsky movie in which Fraser stars, premiered at the Venice Film Festival Sunday night to Six minutes standing ovation.
Actors and longtime fans alike have taken to social media to share their happiness in the appreciation that Fraser has received with this latest role. As the applause continued for Fraser on Sunday, the actor and some members of the audience appeared to suffocate.
This comes years after Fraser reached the peak of his career. So, why did this moment bring so much joy to so many people at the same time that others feel sorry for the fact of it this movie Is Fraser’s return to stardom?
Fraser was once a major star with hits like George the forest And the mummy Franchise business. But after an uninterrupted career as one of the pioneers of Hollywood, Fraser has fallen back to the fringes of television and film in recent years.
Seeing that Fraser was “universally loved” by audiences for so long has resonated with fans, according to film and media historian Chris Ujrest.
“It was as if the audience had been waiting for this moment,” said Jogerst. “Everyone missed him. Seeing him again on screen, it felt like an old friend had returned.”
Nostalgia certainly plays into the joy that this moment brings to some people, said Jogerst.
“I mean, I’m still nostalgic for the silly new version of Fascinating , ” Fraser, starring Elizabeth Hurley, released in 2000. Yogerest said.
Part of this collective happiness also stems from knowledge of Fraser’s recent struggles, according to Nicholas Baer, associate professor of film studies at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
After Fraser has been absent from any major Hollywood movie for several years, GQ Post a profile In 2018 from the actor titled “What Happened to Brendan Fraser?”
Brendan Fraser in mummy
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Brendan Fraser in mummy
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In it, Fraser discussed years of suffering from injuries (which she sustained from performing stunts while filming mummy franchise), subsequent surgeries, personal loss and divorce. Even more surprising were the details that Fraser shared about the alleged harassment of Philip Burke, the former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Burke said GQ That Fraser’s account was a “complete fabrication”.
freezer in GQ An article frankly questioned if he was actually blacklisted from Hollywood because he came forward about his experience.
“[The Whale] It offers us an opportunity to learn about a kind of basic virtue and decency of Brendan Fraser, who has been truly oppressed and long-suffering by the industry,” said Bayer.
Back with controversy
From left to right: Brendan Fraser, Hong Zhao, Darren Aronofsky, Sadie Sink and screenwriter Samuel de Hunter at the screening of “The Whale” at the Venice International Film Festival.
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From left to right: Brendan Fraser, Hong Zhao, Darren Aronofsky, Sadie Sink and screenwriter Samuel de Hunter at the screening of “The Whale” at the Venice International Film Festival.
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Whale The movie is about a reclusive 600-pound English teacher (Fraser) who, while struggling with his health, tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter. A combination of prosthetics and CGI assists Fraser in portraying this character.
Bayer noted that Fraser’s return will likely be controversial to some.
“I think it will definitely be a sticking point in the speech. I think it is a practice [the use of prosthetics or so-called fat suits] This has been a relatively common occurrence among Hollywood’s top actors for a long time and has come under increasing criticism for being fat-phobic and degrading to obesity.”
In fact, critics have turned to social media Say The introduction to the film is dehumanizing in nature. There is a question as to whether it should be done at all.
Aubrey Gordon, author and co-host of The Maintenance Phase, a podcast focused on debunking health fads, Twitter took over to summon the target of the movie.
“It’s so significant that many only see fat people as ‘human’ in the media that shows us doing exactly what they expect: living short and small lives;” We eat ourselves to death “; feeling sad and remorseful. All that reminds us of how tragic it is to be fat, and how much better it is to be skinny.”
She wrote that this type of media “reinforces viewers’ bias against fat.”
Broadway actress Bea Glenn also criticized the film, laments the truth That this movie is the return of Fraser.
“Mr. Fraser’s return and personal journey as an actor and human being is significant and I hate that I feel so negative about the project that led to them. I know I’m not going to see him, so I’ve been reading reviews, I wrote on Twitter. ‘References to rolls, hung ham and cottage cheese(!)’ NO.”
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