THIS ONE’S FOR THE LADIES
An empowering and refreshingly honest look at female sexuality and solidarity, this eye-opening documentary follows Newark’s Nasty Boyz exotic dance troupe and the ladies who love them.
On Thursday nights, groups of women in Newark, NJ gather in community centers and potluck halls for performances by the Nasty Boyz, the city’s premier providers of exotic dance entertainment. But as Gene Graham’s revealing documentary THIS ONE’S FOR THE LADIES demonstrates, these events aren’t all jello shots and G-strings. While devoting plenty of time to the eye-popping, sometimes acrobatic performances, the film takes a wide-ranging approach to exploring the place of the Nasty Boyz within the Newark community, touching on issues from drug abuse to police brutality and exploring how the shows provide their predominantly-African American, female audience with a venue to let loose and share support. We’re introduced to unforgettable characters like dancers Mr. Capable, Satan, middle-aged twin brother act Raw Dawg and Tygar (original founders of the crew), and lesbian “dom” performer Blaze, who’s determined to make audience members rethink their preconceived notions of gender and sexual orientation. The dancers’ most ardent fans detail all the ways these unconventional events allow them to unabashedly embrace their desire while strengthening their sense of community surrounded by flashing lights, sequins, and baby oil.
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