Introduction
Strip Down, Rise Up is a 2021 American documentary film directed and produced by Michèle Ohayon. The film explores the journey of trauma recovery, self-empowerment, and body reclamation through pole dancing as an art form. It centers around a group of women who are healing an emotional wound and reweaving a tapestry of confidence within themselves. The message it sends is striking: movement is fundamental to both identity and sensuality. Upon its release on Netflix on February 5th, 2021, it was both acclaimed and critiqued, especially in regard to the pole dance community and mental health circles.
Synopsis
The documentary’s backbone focuses on a pole dancing class conducted by Sheila Kelley—the founder of S Factor—over six months’ duration. This therapeutic program combines sensual dancing with group therapy sessions. Participants come from various ages, backgrounds, sizes, body types, and levels of experience; they seek to face emotional pain rooted from trauma, negative body image struggle, and low self-esteem issues.The film captures their transformation from indecision and self-doubt to confident expression and liberation. The women utilize sensual movement, pole techniques, and intimate dialogue to rediscover self-worth and repossess autonomy over their bodies. Some women are survivors of abuse, while others grapple with body shame, persistent grief, or profound personal loss. Earned through the intimate betrayals of misogyny, the workshop becomes a space for participants to reclaim agency in celebrating femininity without boundaries.
In addition to S Factor’s philosophy as the documentary’s focal point, it also features professional pole dancers Amy Bond and Jenyne Butterfly who introspect on pole dancing as an art form, an athletic pursuit, and a personal practice.
At the documentary’s heart is the emotionally powerful display of raw vulnerability showcased by participants. In tearful sessions marked by emotion, they share stories laden with anguish yet filled with transformative breakthroughs gaining emotional intimacy through sisterhood. They do not gain at journey’s end performative prowess—but rather newfound confidence in holding sensual identity encumbered by societal shame controls.
Cast and Creative Team
Director, Producer, and Writer: Michèle Ohayon
Instructors: Sheila Kelley, Amy Bond, Jenyne Butterfly
Editorial Staff: Edward Osei-Gyimah
Musical Contributions: Lili Haydn
Cinematographic Staff: Sam Ameen, Svetlana Cvetko, Denise Brassard
Production Companies Kandoo Films.
The film’s cast is composed of actual participants in the S Factor course which lends a documentary quality to the film. The emotional authenticity enhances the viewer’s connection to the issues portrayed.
Themes and Issues
- Healing Through Movement
The film framing sensual dance and pole movement as forms of self-healing stands out. Pole dance serves as a tangible metaphor for strength and resilience. The participants engage with movement not only as a form of expression but also as something that helps them grapple with deep emotional pain, indicating a need for somatic awareness about one’s body.
- Reclaiming Sensuality
Many participants deal with external societal pressures along with internalized shaming regarding sexuality and sensuality. This documentary animates an invitation toward redefining those aspects while taking off layers of objectification paint on them towards empowerment instead. The dance floor transforms into a bubble where femininity fills the air unabashedly surrounded by appreciation for sensual expression rather subdued or disguised.
- Body Positivity and Acceptance
The multitude of bodies and narratives in the film emphasizes that confidence, beauty, and grace are not limited to specific shapes or ages. With support from others, the women begin to view their bodies as worthy and capable and expressive, dismantling years of self-criticism.
- Sisterhood and Solidarity
The group dynamic is important. Women weep together, experience laughter as a group, and provide support for one another. The documentary highlights collective healing, where understanding emerges through shared storytelling that fosters empathy in relationships. Vulnerability during group work underscores the need for emotional exposure in order to facilitate breakthrough transformations.
- Spiritual And Emotional Release
In addition to the physical aspects discussed in this film, there is also spiritual renewal addressed in Strip Down Rise Up. There is initiative movement which refers not only as fitness but a means towards self-discovery on a deeper level. Participants are urged to relinquish control so their bodies can lead them toward healing.
Critical Reception
Strip Down Rise Up was met with mixed reviews from both critics and audiences alike, receiving praise for what many claimed was emotionally difficult content Edited ‘Courage’ ‘Visual presentation’ . Other critics noted how well it captured the emotional journey underpinning the learning to love/inhabit their bodies all women undergo along with simply telling such visually powerful stories which resonates deeply alongside striving purposefully towards cinematic truth essay version with no quotable turns helped build a collage of authentic moments capturing raw energy stripped down brute honesty pouring people’s souls freely wanting overtime their voices tearful longing reclaim vulnerable selves corseted controlled within stripped away final sequence transformations blended artfulness through document affirming grace claim true rise up!
Yet, some critiques arose regarding the therapeutic framing and narrow focus of the documentary. Mental health experts raised concerns about the emotionally charged group sessions depicted in the film, particularly given the lack of licensed therapeutic supervision. Furthermore, voices from within the pole community contested that the documentary failed to capture pole dancing’s full breadth as a discipline—neglecting its origins in exotic dance and sex work, as well as competitive queer pole communities.
While some viewers found the film’s approach empowering and moving, others felt it crossed into performative or overly emotional territory. Sheila Kelley’s S Factor was an equally polarizing topic of discussion; some critics deemed her leadership theatrical and cult-like in nature.
Feedback from PD Community
Responses from within the broader pole dancing community were strikingly divergent. Professional dancers, especially those coming from athletic or sexual sectors, argued that the documentary showcased only a niche segment of pole dancing which emphasized emotional healing and femininity while neglecting more holistic elements of considering it an art form and sport.
There was also criticism regarding a perceived lack of inclusivity around male, non-binary and queer identified pole dancers. Some felt reinforced by the film’s framing of pole dancing as an exclusively feminine heterosexual healing practice.
Moreover, viewers expressed discomfort regarding the extent of emotional vulnerability the women showcased on camera, particularly in the absence of licensed psychological counseling.
Final Verdict
Strip Down, Rise Up is a stark documentary that touches deeply on reclaiming women’s control over their bodies and stories. It analyzes through the lens of pole dance educating us about trauma, healing, and womanhood. The raw emotions captured as well as the heartfelt sincerity of participants are indeed powerful.
That being said, not all may appreciate the stylized framing and narrow approach of this documentary. Primarily focusing on one methodology—S Factor—and neglecting other artistic or athletic manifestations of pole dancing is a significant oversight. Moreover, the lack of context concerning pole’s origin fails to portray large parts of the narrative.
In any case, Strip Down, Rise Up remains strongest as a tale centered around a group of women who courageously embraced their perceived weaknesses and discovered strength within themselves. This is a film that encourages reflection and self-examination but should be approached with caution due to its limited stance and emotional depth.
Watch Free Movies on Sflix