Documentary filmmaker Deirdre Allen Timmons brings us to Seattle’s Academy of Burlesque for an inside glimpse of everyday women looking to transform themselves via learning the art of the tease.
Featuring the accomplished professional burlesque performer and teacher, Miss Indigo Blue, this excellent documentary provides a good understanding of why woman are drawn to studying the art. Miss Blue, a former professional stripper, is a perfect ambassador who promotes “radical Self acceptance” for ordinary women.
The introduction of each of the women and why they want to study the art was really nicely done. All of their personal stories are very compelling. While the video featuring lots of clips by notable performers from the Seattle scene, there’s also an equal emphasis on the interviews.
One standout of the contemporary professionals was Lily Verlaine. She did this amazing “Picasso” piece where she applied body paint to herself. It’s a moment of pure performance art in which, as Miss Blue comments, Lily is the object of the art, as well as being the artist and the muse. Lily embodies all three as she performs. But the element of burlesque is subtly and playfully expressed in the final application of some red paint on her nipples!
I was happy that women’s concerns about body types and age were well represented. All the women who came to the academy expressed common themes about body confidence and desire to reclaim physicality. I agree with the vision of this film and with Miss Blue, that the desire to connect to one’s sexuality is both timeless and empowering.
Miss Violet Blue goes beyond this standard understanding however. When she talked about performer Waxie Moon, and the importance of “Boy-lesque” and drag elements, she really gets to the heart of what burlesque is. Miss Blue speaks articulately about Waxie Moon’s ability to play with gender identities, describing how he deftly combines tenderness and vulgarity into one performance.
Burlesque uses humor, irony and sexuality to draw our attention to ourselves and to how we relate to the world and all our social constructs and contracts. It is an art form I’m so delighted to see making such a big comeback.
This is a great documentary for both anyone who is curious about burlesque as well as well as those already involved in burlesque. I highly recommend this as an excellent addition to your burlesque library!
Click here to buy A Wink & A Smile on Amazon.
A Wink and a Smile: The Art of Burlesque
2008 -89 minutes
I haven’t seen it yet, but I know I would love it