Another absolute highlight is that Sixpackfilm has signed my film A fat person goes to the doctor and has been distributing it there since this year. This same film was also shown on the Diagonale in Graz in April.

Veronika Merklein takes a seat in a waiting room and tells “jokes” that all begin similarly: “A fat person goes to the doctor.” Canned laughter spills over painful, cross-border reports. A smart, sharp performance that creates an oppressive feeling.

Veronika Merklein has taken a seat in the waiting room. While magazines talk about diet miracles and remedies, Merklein presents reports that are structured like a joke. Everyone begins similarly: “A fat person goes to the doctor.” The image section focuses on the speaker’s mouth, red-painted lips repeating “FAT FAT FAT FAT,” and the stories unfold next to it, white writing on a black background. They are painful, tragic, address untreated fractures and metabolic diseases, threats and sadistic maneuvers: one border crossing after another. An invisible audience acknowledges what they hear with laughter, canned laughter like you know from sitcoms. In the course of her performance, Merklein works her way into practice, turning it into a stage. Her work is sharp and pointed, the minimal arrangement creates a feeling that runs counter to canned laughter: everything gets stuck in the audience’s throat. (Carolin Weidner)

The performance of this was first seen in Vienna at Fat in Medicine – Health before Weight in February 2024.

The performance of this was first seen in Vienna at Fat in Medicine – Health before Weight in February 2024.