By Kristin Suratt on Friday, May 4th, 2018 in Festival Tent, Films on the Arts, News.
Getting Naked: A Burlesque Story-Filmmaker James Lester and Mendocino native Darlinda, Just Darlinda discuss the film with radio host Blake More on KZYX radio. The film portrays contemporary burlesque culture in New York City through the lives of several performers, including Miss Jezebel Express, Gal Friday, Hazel Honeysuckle, Perle Noire, and the Schlep Sisters, Darlinda Just Darlinda and Minnie Tonka. Listen to the interview here.
Neo-Burlesque Revival
The film illuminates an art form that has endured for more than 150 years. Lester and his subjects bring burlesque to life through black and white footage of traditional artists and compelling portraits of a new generation of performers in the Neo-Burlesque revival.
Importantly, each artist finds a sense of meaning and artistic freedom, yet daily challenges and difficult life experiences are lovingly portrayed in the film, too. Each person in the film has a unique personal style and sense of purpose-brave, glamorous, funny, intrepid and above all, human.
Challenging Society’s Narrow Views
We see their struggles, insecurities, triumphs and fears; insights that help us understand similar qualities in ourselves. Their stories of liberation challenge viewers to examine their own stereotypes, taboos, and inhibitions, the kind that many party strippers and burlesque dancers alike share and make their own. Like their predecessors, they are challenging society’s narrow view of beauty, success, and what it means to be naked-to reveal what most people are afraid to reveal.
Blake More is UCLA graduate who has lived on the Mendocino Coast since the late 90s. She is a teacher and artist whose work includes visual art, poetry, video, performance, costume design, and functional mixed media, including hand-painted art cars. Inspired by nature, geometry and the female form, Blake is and inspired interviewer and host of XXWhy? on KZYX.org
Best Documentary at the New Jersey Film Festival and Official Selection at Doc NYC.
Getting Naked: A Burlesque Story will be shown on Saturday, June 2 at 8:00 p.m. in the Festival Tent. The film will be followed by a Q&A with Darlinda’s mother, a Mendocino local, and a live Burlesque show featuring Mendocino-based burlesque troupe, Les Filles Rouges.
