• Release year: 2024
• Director: Jonothon Lees.
• Producer: Stuart Whitehouse.
• Cinematography by: Paul Daly.

Shotgun Commentary: fascinating insight about an art form that is often misunderstood and judged.

Review

Fabulous Femininities offers some insight into some of the burlesque shows currently taking place in the UK. Through interviews with the artists and recordings of their shows, Lees paints an accurate picture of the meaning behind burlesque and knocks off a few misconceptions on the way. In terms of opening up the LGTBQIA+ community to a wider audience, this film couldn’t be any better.

Powerful intro

The feature begins by presenting a few artists, all of them with their own unique personality and artistic alter egos. The subjects are carefully chosen in terms of what they bring to the content. They all have fascinating personalities and perspectives of life, as well as their own signature charm. Themes like ageism, body positivity and insecurities, which will be further analysed below, are central to the narrative.

One of the most curious statements of the documentary mentions that a burlesque character can be many things. It can be a cypher, an alter ego, a clown, or simply permission. That statement is incredibly thought-provoking. The use of an art to gain permission from yourself to show parts of you that you might not otherwise show. This is one of the most powerful aims art can have. In that sense, burlesque is quite similar to drag. It helps you create a persona through which you can express yourself, free of the social constraints that have been imbedded in you since birth.

Tearing down stereotypes

This powerful statement is brought up by a burlesque artist who explores the intersection between age and burlesque with his artistic persona. His philosophy of life is truly one to aspire to. In his sixties, he decided to let go of shame and what-ifs. To embrace a form of art that would allow him to explore parts of his character that he had never allowed himself to test before. With his choice, he has become an inspiration for young and old. An example that life is way far from over when you turn 60. In his own words, his “fuck you” moment turned into a “fuck yes” moment.

That is essentially what burlesque is all about, going past what seemed possible and redefining the concepts of beauty and feminine. The documentary also emphasises body positivity greatly. It is not usual to see curvy women in professions where showing off your body is part of the spectacle. The presence of big women in burlesque is a groundbreaking step forward in terms of representation, inclusion, and body positivity.

Especially for women, physical appearance is usually a great source of discomfort. Since birth, we are taught to compare ourselves with the women that appear on the media and to obsess over every little “flaw” we are taught to hate. For this reason, examples like the women in this documentary are crucial in society, especially in spaces that celebrate the body and use it as a tool for communication.

Against the flow

The film also acknowledges the hardships and resistance of some people to this art and some of the artists, prejudice and sexism being some of the most common sources of their hatred. The mention of these issues not only highlights the work society still needs to do in order to be better, but also justifies the existence of this work as a relevant piece of content.

All in all, Fabulous Femininities is a documentary that helps dismantle misconceptions about burlesque and exhibit all the ways in which it is a revolutionary and gorgeous art form. All the interviewees are charming, unique, and captivating, and their stories broaden the different meaning and impacts that burlesque can have in people’s lives, thus offering a very complete view of the art.

If you are in the UK and Fabulous Femininities has piqued your interest, you can now watch it online from the 15th to the 17th of November in the Streaming Online programme of One Fluid Night International LGBTQIA+ Film Festival!

Advice to take from this movie:

• Don’t let your size, gender or age keep you from doing what you love.
• The limits of feminine are subjective, don’t expect other people to have the same limits as you.
• Ignorance isn’t sexy, don’t make other people put up with yours.

What’s your take? Have you watched Fabulous Femininities? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀