Being Different (1981)

Directed by

Harry Rasky

Genre

documentary film

Country

Canada

Runtime

1h 40m

Rated

14A

Rating

6.8 of 10 from 4 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

This documentary profiles people with unusual physical characteristics like dwarfism, amputations, or extreme height. It shows both the struggles and the positives in their lives through interviews with them.

interview-drivenobservationalcompassionatematter-of-factcontemplativeemotional

What happens

Being Different is a Canadian documentary film, directed by Harry Rasky and released in 1981. Adapted in part from Leslie Fiedler's 1978 book Freaks: Myths and Images of the Secret Self, the film profiles various people, including amputees, people with dwarfism, conjoined twins and people who are much taller or fatter than average, who have physical characteristics that make them different from the "norm", and centres on both the positive and negative aspects of their experiences. Figures appearing in the film included actor Billy Barty; Jóhann K. Pétursson, a 7'8" circus entertainer; Sandy Allen, who was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest living woman in the world; Percilla Bejano, a woman with hypertrichosis who performed in sideshows as “The Monkey Girl”; and Peter Strudwick, a German-American marathon runner who was born without feet. The film premiered at the 1981 Montreal World Film Festival, and was screened at the 1981 Festival of Festivals in September. Allen personally attended a later commercial screening at Toronto's Carlton Theatre in October. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

Trailer

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