Becoming Burlesque

An eye opener for sure, and a good approach to a controversial subject. Could maybe have been a bit deeper script wise and maybe longer, but overall good otherwise.

I feel like this movie disrespects the culture of Islam. like i don't really have a problem with people becoming burlesque. But having a Muslim female in this while showing that she is Islamic is quiet disrespectful. like it wasn't necessary for her to choose between her faith and her job. very disturbed

This movie is about a supposedly repressed Muslim girl that decides she wants freedom of choice by becoming a burlesque dancer. Then when her family members find out about this stripping job, they each "become" comfortable with the idea. Note the scene just before the credits roll up when even her mother imagines herself on stage as she looks at herself in the mirror. I'm sure it's tongue in cheek but far-fetched in any case. It's a good thing this flick is merely fantasy because in the real world, families would not be THAT accepting, For the protagonist herself, she claims to follow the teachings of Islam and still considers herself a Muslim so she's trying to reconcile the two. The outcome is predictable. It was only ever going to go one way. The characters must have called burlesque "a form of art", at least a hundred times in its duration. We get it. And to some it is but to others, it's still a form of sexual exploitation similar to belly dancing. It's still women showing off their bodies for money. How does the main character reconcile such major differences? Well she doesn't. Anyway, I give it 3 stars because the film's message is that womens freedom of choice is solely about wearing less clothes and not that womens choices or freedom of expression can be about being intelligent, using your brain or by being happy by other means.

Humans need to progress, not stand still for thousands of years. This movie and the skilled actors illustrate the challenges of a modern cultures soft spot. Namely the freedom to be religious even if it hinders others freedom and life. That makes it profoundly important. <3

A fine feature debut from Jackie English, showing the burlesque world from an insider's perspective, as well as a multicultural perspective on personal empowerment.