LEARNING TO BE NAKED is a new documentary revealing the healing, transformative power of burlesque. It’s hard to imagine a more vulnerable experience than getting naked on stage–and for some it is precisely this experience that profoundly changes their lives.

Dispelling stereotypes about what kinds of bodies deserve to be seen and celebrated, the film follows several extraordinary and unconventional performers as burlesque strips away their shame, gently peels off their insecurities and slowly undresses their pain, including: the amputee/breast cancer survivor survivor who proudly performs with her prosthesis and does not hide her scars; the stroke survivor who found her way from wheelchair to the stage and the plus size, black, nonboanary performer who is a fierce advocate for BIPOC and LGBTQ artists.

Like a caterpillar metamorphosing inside a chrysalis, burlesque provides a safe space for them to transform, spread their wings and land on stage feeling more confident, beautiful, and free.

Director: Machiel Amorison, Susan Wolf (US 2024)