Ex-Fat Girl

Showing as part of the Triple Threat programme of 2005's Resfest, this is a quirky little beast.

Nagi Noda rose to prominence as an art director who designed print advertisements and books and CD jackets before moving on to music videos and shorts, such as this. The premise, as far as it is possible to surmise, is that Mariko Takahashi has given up being fat, in favour of being a poodle, or something to that effect. She has muscle bulges to match the fancy fluff on a toy poodle that's been cut for the showground and offers advice on strengthening your upper body, flanked by poodles, standing on their hind legs, mimicking her exercises.

This is the clever bit, really. Despite the poodle bodies belonging to actors, the heads sit seamlessly, truly giving the impression of poodles working out. Technically adept though it is, this is a one-trick puppy that almost outstays its welcome, even at three minutes.