Feb 27: Romantic comedy ‘Cinta Kolestrol’ will make history of sorts when its producers commission a fat suit for the lead actress, former beauty queen Erra Fazira, who takes on the role of an obese woman. RAM GANESAN writes.

FANS of actress-singer Erra Fazira will be in for a “large” surprise when her new film Cinta Kolestrol is released in April. The former beauty queen will play an obese woman who is rejected by the man her family has arranged for her to marry.

Not to worry, though. Erra will not put on the pounds to take on the role. Instead, film producers Metrowealth Movies Production will spend about RM200,000 to bring in make-up specialists from Fido Films, a Swedish effects firm, to do the job.

The man entrusted with the job is Kaj Steveman, who has been practising his craft in the European film industry for more than 20 years. His resume includes working on the hit Swedish comedy series Reuter Skoog as well as being in charge of the costumes for the Scandinavian premiere of The Lord Of The Ring films.

Cinta Kolestrol director Razak Mohaideen hopes that bringing in foreign experts will improve the standard of effects in the local industry. “It has been done in Hollywood but this is the first time an actress will be wearing a fat suit in a local film.

“I hope this will serve as a precedent for other films. It certainly gives more options for scriptwriters to play with,” said Razak, whose last film was the comedy Mami Jarum.

This film, which also stars Yusri from KRU, is a romantic comedy that plays on the issues of physical attraction. Erra will don the 7kg fat suit for almost 60 per cent of the film.

At a Press conference, Thomas Deutschman, the CEO of Fido Films, said that it will take about four hours to put the make-up on Erra every day. Taking it out will take another two hours.

“Erra however has been very professional about the whole thing. It will be a pleasure working with her.”

The procedure involves starting off with a live cast and then gradually perfecting it with alganate, a substance used by dentists for filling teeth.

David Teo, one of the producers, feels that the high cost of bringing in the experts is justified as the audience deserves high-quality effects. “We have a responsibility to ensure proper standards as this is the first time this sort of make-up is being done.”

The film opens on April 24 and there are already plans to show it at the Stockholm Film Festival at the end of the year.