Strip Down, Rise Up

Strip Down, Rise Up is an empowering and liberating documentary film directed by two-time Oscar-nominated filmmaker Michèle Ohayon. Released in 2021, the film explores the underrated and misunderstood art of pole dancing and its transformative impact on a diverse variety of women. The film features several inspiring figures, with casts like Keith Ballinger, Amy Bond and Jenyne Butterfly, each bringing unique perspectives and personal narratives throughout the compelling storyline.

Strip Down, Rise Up tackles complex and topics such as sexuality, body image, and gendered stereotypes, shining a light on the journey of women who are using their bodies to reclaim their sense of control, healing, and self-love. The primary setting is The Vertitude, a dance studio in Los Angeles, where internationally renowned performer and coach Jenyne Butterfly teaches an enriching pole-dancing workshop to an eclectic group of women from different backgrounds, ages, professions, and body types.

Amy Bond, a former lawyer turned professional pole dancer and founder of Pole Dance San Francisco, is one of the most compelling figures in the documentary. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and as a woman ostracized by the pole dance community due to her look, Amy’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience. She is shown in the documentary harnessing the therapeutic aspects of pole dance to heal the traumas, improving her mental health, enjoying her femininity, and leading by example for others.

Equally as intriguing is the journey of 50-year-old widower Evelyn who, despite initial hesitation and self-doubt, gradually evolves into a confident woman through her pole dance training. Keith Ballinger, a Vietnam War veteran, offers an intriguing male perspective in the otherwise female-dominated narrative. He too turns to pole dance as an effective therapeutic outlet to overcome his severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

As the film progresses, the stigma surrounding pole dancing is challenged, contested, and ultimately deconstructed. Through the beautiful, challenging and often emotional routines evolve, the documentary earnestly explores the intersections between sensuality, empowerment, and liberation.

Strip Down, Rise Up unfolds as a heartening celebration of sisterhood and strength. In showcasing the power of pole dancing to act as a cathartic outlet for physical, mental, and sexual trauma, the film encourages audiences to redefine and broaden their understanding of femininity, sexuality, and personal expression. The message portrayed is not just about the transformative power of the physical act of dancing itself, but also about the ability of community, camaraderie, and collective resilience to lift one another up emotionally and psychologically.

The stirring performances, characterized by grace, athleticism, and strength, are in a way, a metaphorical act of defiance, shattering societal norms and expectations about women and their bodies. The confidence which the women gain throughout their journey isn’t just confined to the dance floor, it extends into their personal and professional lives, changing their relationship with themselves and the world around them.

Strip Down, Rise Up stands out in its successful execution of several narratives through thoughtful and compassionate storytelling. A brilliant exposé that celebrates feminine energy and the potential for both physical and emotional metamorphosis, this movie inspires empathy while advocating a stronger, more inclusive perspective of femininity, and the power of healing through movement.

Documenting a revolutionary blend of strength-building, feminine expression and unexpected therapy, Strip Down, Rise Up artfully demonstrates that there is more to pole dancing than meets the eye. It is an emotionally poignant, eye-opening film that holds space for necessary conversations about femininity, empowerment, body positivity, and uncovering strength in vulnerability. This is not a film about sexual exploitation, but rather about sexual liberation, focusing on women who are finding their voices, reclaiming their power, and celebrating their bodies through the art of dance.