I picked this movie up after seeing a show put on by the graduating class of Seattle-based Miss Indigo Blue’s Academy of Burlesque; a friend of a friend had gone through the six weeks of training and the class put on a great show. A Wink and a Smile was made in 2008 and while it’s not the story of the class I saw, it’s the story of 10 women who learn the art of burlesque and learn about themselves at the same time.
I really am enjoying the burlesque scene here in Seattle; it’s really not just stripping, but each act tells a story and they are usually quite clever. This movie goes over how the women pick their stage names, how to figure out a story and how to use their dance moves to tell it, etc. The range of women who take the class is amazing; a mother of 2, a taxidermist, an opera singer, a homemaker, a student, and a reporter to name a few.
Miss Indigo Blue started as a stripper but wanted something a bit more glamorous, so she found burlesque, joined a troupe, and started the school. She sees burlesque as means of self exploration, a way to boost self-esteem and strengthen sexual confidence. She knows exactly what she’s doing and why, and its fun to watch her teach, cajole, and befriend these women who are trying something extremely new and somewhat frightening.
I even got to see her dance live with a troupe called The Atomic Bombshells. She’s very petite and graceful, and also very nice and sweet! Check this movie out and support the reemergence of this art form.
4 out of 5 stars for the filmmakers style; it could have been a little more a little more flashy considering the subject material, but on the other hand it lets the audience focus more on the people behind the glitter.
More:
- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1245369/
- http://www.winkthemovie.com/
- http://www.academyofburlesque.com/index.html
- http://www.theatomicbombshells.com/
