Watch Becoming Burlesque

Becoming Burlesque is a 2017 Canadian drama film directed by Jackie English. The movie follows a young Muslim woman named Fatima (Shiva Negar) living in Toronto who discovers the art of burlesque dancing as a way of expressing her individuality and breaking free from cultural and religious expectations. Fatima is a shy and reserved girl who dreams of becoming a professional photographer, but her conservative Muslim family disapproves of her aspirations and expects her to follow their traditions of modesty and obedience. One day, she stumbles upon a burlesque show and is captivated by the freedom, confidence, and creativity of the performers.

Determined to explore this new world of self-expression, Fatima joins a burlesque dance studio run by a tough and sassy instructor named Lucy (Elise Bauman). Despite her lack of experience, Fatima throws herself into the world of burlesque, learning to embrace her body and sexuality through provocative choreography and daring costumes.

As she becomes more involved in the burlesque community, Fatima faces pushback from her family and community who view her new passion as scandalous and immoral. She also grapples with her own inner conflicts and insecurities as she tries to balance her newfound self-confidence with her cultural and religious identity.

The movie explores themes of female empowerment, cultural identity, and the struggle to reconcile tradition with individual freedom. It portrays a diverse cast of characters from various cultural backgrounds, highlighting the intersectionality of social and personal identity. The ensemble cast includes Moe Jeudy-Lamour as the friendly and supportive fellow dancer Tika, as well as a range of burlesque performers who offer a glimpse into the vibrant and inclusive world of the art.

With its vibrant cinematography, catchy soundtrack, and inspiring message, Becoming Burlesque offers a refreshingly unique perspective on the coming-of-age narrative. It combines elements of drama, comedy, and dance to tell a heartfelt and uplifting story about one woman's journey to find her own voice and break free from societal expectations.

Becoming Burlesque is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.8.