The Film
LEARNING TO BE NAKED is a new documentary revealing the HEALING, TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF BURLESQUE. It’s hard to imagine a more vulnerable experience than getting naked on stage–and for some women, it is precisely this experience that profoundly changes their lives.
DISPELLING STEREOTYPES ABOUT WHAT KINDS OF BODIES DESERVE TO BE SEEN AND CELEBRATED, the film follows several extraordinary and unconventional performers as burlesque strips away their shame, gently peels off their insecurities and slowly undresses their pain, including: the AMPUTEE who proudly performs with her prosthesis; the breast CANCER SURVIVOR who does not hide her scars; and the PLUS SIZE, BLACK, NONBINARY performer who is a fierce advocate for BIPOC and LGBTQ artists.
Like a caterpillar metamorphosing inside a chrysalis, BURLESQUE PROVIDES A SAFE SPACE for these women to transform, spread their wings and land on stage feeling more confident, beautiful, and free.
ANNA SMITH HIGGS - Stroke Survivor
Photo by The Burly Photographer
The Message
OUR SOCIETY IS RIFE WITH STEREOTYPES DESIGNED TO MAKE WOMEN FEEL THAT THEY ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH – that they are not the right size, shape, gender, or race, that they are not pretty, smart, sexy or talented enough to be loved and valued. What woman hasn’t been touched by these inequitable standards?
The women in LEARNING TO BE NAKED discover that burlesque is about more than stripping off clothing. It’s about stripping away the masks we hide behind. It’s about FINDING COMMUNITY, JOY AND EMPOWERMENT THROUGH DANCE.
We are on a mission to inspire women to nurture their physical and emotional health, creativity, self-confidence and dreams. We will help change perceptions of beauty by showing that every body and every woman is worthy of love, community and admiration.
PARFAIT DE LA NEIGE
Featured Performers
Photo by The Burly Photographer
“As a disabled performer I want to raise awareness that strokes don't just happen to older people.”
— ANNA SMITH HIGGS
Photo by Joan Roura
“Everyone has a scar, maybe inside of you, maybe outside. burlesque gives a voice to my scars. Maybe now I can help more women than before.”
— PARFAIT DE LA NEIGE
“I want to raise girls that love themselves. I want my girls to look up and go,” My mom had scars and disabilities and she was able to get up there.”
— EILEEN WRIGHT
“I see a great potential in burlesque for self care and for self-love. It gave me the space to come back to life.”
— VIOLA PANIK
Photo by Marcia Davis
“Through burlesque I’ve learned such an appreciation for my body. I feel more confident when I’m walking down the street. My head’s lifted higher.”
— MX. PUCKS A’PLENTY
Photo by Sugar Coated
“Burlesque is a way to express my feelings. It gives me so much strength and helps me in difficult times. It’s a kind of therapy for me.”
— LOULOU LA BELLE
Vision For Distribution
We’d like to collaborate as we implement a strategic approach to share our message of self love and empowerment. LEARNING TO BE NAKED will reach an international audience of women, changing ideas about representation and inspiring women with disabilities. Our film will be a catalyst for conversations about body image, sexuality and women’s roles as mothers, girlfriends, and daughters. We will generate awareness and impact through:
Film Festival & Theatrical Screenings to build audience and engage national and global press
Nonprofit Screening Campaigns focused on sexuality and disability
Health Care Screening Campaigns reaching providers of care to women with breast cancer, or physical or mental disabilities
Screenings at Burlesque Festivals around the world focusing on the burlesque community
Presentations at Conferences that address issues affecting women esp. those in the LGBTQ and BIPOC communities
National & International Television Broadcast reaching millions of viewers
Digital Release through Amazon, iTunes and Netflix
MX.PUCKS A’PLENTY
Share The Film
Interested in hosting a screening in your community, or for your organization, or conference?
Begin a conversation about healing through creativity and dance. Spark dialogue about sexuality, representation, body image and women’s roles by hosting a virtual or in-person screening of Learning to be Naked followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker and one of the featured performers.
Contact the filmmaker to schedule a screening event and Q&A.
contact.redspokefilms@gmail.com
Support The Film
Help Sponsor Anna Smith Higgs to the Burlesque Hall Of Fame 2023!
Make Anna’s Dream Come True
ANNA SMITH HIGGS
Anna has been invited to perform in the Burlesque Hall Of Fame Movers, Shakers and Innovators Showcase in Las Vegas on June 1, 2023. Wow! This is the Olympics for burlesque performers, it’s the most famous, prestigious burlesque event in the world. Performing at the BHOF is a dream come true for Anna and she is thrilled to have this chance.
Anna suffered a stroke at the age of 24, one month after giving birth to her son. She lost the use of her right arm and much of her vision. Through sheer determination Anna learned to walk again. After her stroke she was deeply depressed but through burlesque she has found “joy, pure joy. It’s better than any drug,“ says Anna. In her performance she shares the very personal, emotional story of her stroke. We know that performing at BHOF will be a pinnacle experience for Anna and we want to make it happen and want to share it with all of you in our film.
Your donation will help pay for the travel and festival expenses for Anna and her mother, who is her aide. It’s a long way from London to Las Vegas and it will be Anna’s first trip to the USA. Any amount you care to donate will be greatly appreciated. All donors will be thanked in the film credits, and be given a private preview link to screen the film as soon as it is finished. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Photo by the Burly Photographer
Team
LEARNING TO BE NAKED is the latest international collaboration by the filmmaking team of Machiel Amorison and Susan Wolf.
Their previous documentary, MATA HARI THE NAKED SPY, unravels the story of WWI’s most notorious spy. It premiered at the Santa Fe Film Festival, won the audience award at the Tiburon Film Festival, was broadcast on PBS UK and now can be seen on Amazon Prime and other streaming platforms.