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Acclaimed director Rama Rau brings a dazzling and daring group of women from the heydays of burlesque out of retirement and onto the big screen in all their feathered and fabulous pasty-wearing glory. League of Exotique Dancers celebrates the legends and pioneers of burlesque as they prepare to give a live performance at the Legends of Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. The performers, a generous and outspoken cross-section of women, happily share their backstories and wit from an era when "feminism" was very much an F-word. As a poster in one woman's house proclaims, "Goddesses gather here." But these goddesses faced poverty, racism and sexism and yet all managed to find independence, freedom and strength through the work they did on stage. Featuring remarkable acts, past and present, League of Exotique Dancers is a wonderful tribute to a fierce and inspirational group of women. Lynne Fernie

Please note: Only closed captioning available for screenings at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema.

Also screening at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema beginning May 20—Buy Tickets!