Fat Pizza

Fat Pizza
Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	2003; 23 years ago
Founder	Paul Fenech
Headquarters	Sydney, Australia
Products	Comedy film
Parent	Village Roadshow Pictures

Fat Pizza is a 2003 Australian comedic motion picture adapted from the Pizza TV show, both developed, produced, scripted, and headlined by Paul Fenech. The film’s narrative is situated between the second and third seasons of the series and marks the cinematic debut of Rebel Wilson.

The production was handled by Village Roadshow Pictures alongside uncredited support from SBS Independent. Filming took place across Sydney’s Canterbury-Bankstown area, including Bass Hill and Chullora, as well as in the Hills District at Kellyville and Norwest Business Park. Distributed by Roadshow Films on 10 April 2003, it achieved a box office revenue of $2.1 million.

Plot

Located in Canterbury-Bankstown, the story begins with lead character Pauly (Paul Fenech) claiming that all events depicted are factual and involve real individuals.

Pauly arrives late to discover his boss Bobo (Johnny Boxer)—a forty-year-old virgin set to wed a Vietnamese mail-order bride—has recruited a new delivery driver named Davo (Jason Davis). Pauly introduces Davo to the "Former Employee Hall of Shame," highlighting Sahib (Desan Padayachee), who was dismissed for excessive politeness and subsequently launched a competing pizzeria called Phat Pizza.

Pauly assaults the clown mascot Ronnie McDoggle (George Kapiniaris), triggering a clash with several clowns which Pauly manages to repel. Later, during a pizza delivery, Davo encounters bikies, uncovers an illicit drug laboratory, and narrowly escapes an explosion triggered amid a fight. Back at the pizzeria, Davo meets Sleek the Elite (Paul Nakad), who shares his manipulative dating strategies and voyeuristic exploits involving fellow driver Habib (Tahir Bilgic). Davo confesses that his job as a delivery driver followed an arrest related to marijuana possession, leading to work release.

As Pauly prepares for a night out with coworkers Habib and Rocky (Rob Shehadie), Sahib attempts to undermine Fat Pizza by diverting orders to Phat Pizza but is mistaken for Pauly and assaulted by clowns. Meanwhile, Bobo murders a health inspector after an insult directed at his mother. During the evening, Sleek is drugged and kidnapped by women seeking vengeance for his deceptive behavior.

The following day, Sleek faces retaliation from criminal organizations whose daughters were victims of his voyeurism. Rocky initially supports Sleek but turns against him upon discovering his sister was among the victims. At Bobo’s wedding, several couples are hurriedly married due to scheduling conflicts. Pauly concludes by noting that all that remained was to celebrate with drinks.

In post-credit scenes, Sleek is dismissed after filing for workers' compensation; subsequently, bikies kill employees of Phat Pizza who are confused with Fat Pizza staff.

Cast

Actor	Character
Paul Fenech	Pauly Falzoni
Paul Nakad	Sleek the Elite
John Boxer	Bobo Gigliotti
Tahir Bilgiç	Habib Halal
Jabba	Davo Dinkum
Desan Padayachee	Sahib
Maria Venuti	Bobo's Mama
Annalise Braakensiek	Claudia Macpherson
Angry Anderson	Bikie
Glenn Butcher	Priest
Michael Craig	Judge
Cass Cumerford	Main in white
June Dries	Bikie babe #1
Jeff Fenech	Himself
Mario Fenech	Uncle Shiba
Tim Ferguson	David Cockerfield
Linden Goh	Lachlan
Merv Hughes	Ivan Milat
Kamahl	Manager of Phat Pizza
George Kapiniaris	Ronnie McDoggle
Costas Kilias	Dimitri
Bernard King	Leather Gay Man
Hung Le	Revenge-Crazed Gangster
Elliot Goblet	Health Inspector
Pip Mushin	Injured Mormon
Shane Porteous	Doctor
Denise Roberts	Various roles
Phillip Scott	Injured Mormon
Arthur Serevetas	Fighting Arthur Penn
Rob Shehadie	Rocky
Chris Franklin	Dazza
Krissy Stanley	The Crying Lady
Red Symons	Northern Territory Customs Officer
Krista Vendy	Green Peace Secretary
Rebel Wilson	Toula (Wilson's first film credit)
Phen Yee Sng	Ling's Father
Alex Antequera	Gay Hitman
Bruno Xavier	Young Gandhi
Tuyen Le	Lin Chow Bang
Peng Wong	Refugee Uncle
Shakir Pichler	Mafia Boss in Boxing flashback

Reception

The movie was met with predominantly favorable critiques. Adrian Martin, a film reviewer, assigned it a score of 3 out of 5, emphasizing its bold and outrageous humor that sets it apart from standard Australian comedies. He commended the film's vibrant energy, audacious self-assurance, and its strong connection with the intended audience. Similarly, Louise Keller from Urban Cinefile characterized the film's provocative comedy as "highly amusing," applauding its irreverent tone, dynamic pace, and exaggerated style.

Controversy

The film generated debate due to its reliance on coarse humor, racial caricatures, and ethnic slurs such as the term "choco" used for non-white individuals. Critics contend that it associates crudeness with ethnic backgrounds and social strata, while others suggest it disguises damaging minority stereotypes under the guise of satire. The film is an example of self-referential stereotyping frequently found in Australian comedies featuring ethnic minorities.

On the other hand, it has been recognized for offering visibility to ethnic groups like Lebanese and Vietnamese communities that had been underrepresented in Australian comedic works. This represents a transition in how minorities are depicted—from solemn portrayals to entertainment driven by market demands—catering to a broad, youthful ethnic-minority demographic seeking media representation.

In an interview, Paul Fenech remarked that his productions resonate with a wide range of audiences, stating, "Survival is tough for many people in this country, which is why my shows attract viewers regardless of whether they are Greek or bogan."

Sequel

Following the original television series that inspired the movie, three more seasons were produced and aired on SBS in 2003, 2005, and 2007. A crossover film merging Fat Pizza with Housos—another creation by Paul Fenech—premiered on 27 November 2014. In 2019, the Fat Pizza series was revived for a sixth season, debuting on 7mate in November under Fenech’s continued direction.

External links