Strike A Pose
CTM Docs (2/15/2016)
Documentary, Queer Themes/Interest
On Wish List
#364
7*
Seen ItYes
(4/23/2017 Netflix)
IMDB   7.2
83 mins The Netherlands / English
Netflix 
Madonna Herself (archive footage)
Carlton Wilborn Himself
Salim Gauwloos Himself
Jose Guitierez Himself
Gabriel Trupin Himself
Kevin Alexander Stea Himself
Louis Camacho Himself
Oliver Crumes Himself
Jose Xtravaganza Himself
Sue Trupin Herself
Andreas Pliatsikas Himself
Director
Ester Gould
Reijer Zwaan
Producer Denis Wigman
Ellen De Waele
Cinematography Reinout Steenhuizen
Music Bart Westerlaken


In 1990, seven young male dancers - 6 gay, 1 straight - joined Madonna on her most controversial tour. On stage and in the iconic film Truth or Dare they showed the world how to express yourself. Now, 25 years later, they reveal the truth about life during and after the tour. Strike a Pose is a dramatic tale about overcoming shame and finding the courage to be who you are.
Edition Details
No. of Discs/Tapes 1
References
Streaming, VoD NetFlix
Festivals & Awards Tribeca 2016

Notes
I frequently find it hard to connect with documentaries that use the "interview" and "archival film" technique· No matter how skillfully done (and this is a skillful film), the omnipresent camera interposes itself· I often sensed a "play to the camera" feel in these films not usually present with fiction films·
In Strike a Pose we are shown the surface facts of WHERE the dancers are twenty five years after their famous performances in Madonna's Blonde Ambition tour and the documentary Truth or Dare, but is weak on WHO they were and now are· I admit, there is an important line between privacy and voyeurism· Nevertheless, I wish we could have learned more· Perhaps, film is just not well suited to in-depth biography· I also must admit that I have not yet viewed Truth or Dare, which I suspect, based on what I have read, will provide additional insight·
It is also interesting to note how grindingly oppressive the stigma HIV+/AIDS was (and still is) even among those who are otherwise a close family and open about their sexuality· Their experiences are as I remember them to have been among my peers, and still are today·
This is a fine film, and included on my personal list of essential GLBTQ heritage films·
Premiered at the Berlin Festival on 15 February 2016· Featured at Tribeca Film Festival 2016· Available now on Netflix· Scheduled for DVD release June 6, 2017; $30.