A documentary that manages to tug at many different emotions, PORTRAITS OF A NAKED LADY DANCER offers a glimpse of life as an exotic dancer. Travelling to Washington, DC, director Deborah Rowe speaks to a selection of ladies who ply their trade in the clubs of the city. Rowe had attempted to fund previous film projects by stripping to earn money, so was perfectly placed to draw out intimate testimonials from her subjects. Zoe and Jessica are the two girls whom Rowe primarily focuses on, and the duo tell remarkably different stories about their time in the industry. What makes the film even more fascinating is the five year gap in filming, with Rowe returning to her subjects after a lengthy hiatus to see how their attitudes have changed towards the profession. The results are startling, and it's a testament to Rowe's filmmaking skills that once the credits roll, it's hard not to wonder exactly what the future holds for these girls.
