I think that this is a very interesting documentary, about how women used pole-dancing as a way to reclaim their lives and their bodies.
It was not to deal with the pole community as a whole, and neither was it about strippers and sex workers. It was about women who had went through traumatic experiences and find release in pole dance.
Many viewers think Shiela was not qualified as a therapist and overly stresses feminity. This may seem awkward and wrong to some people, but watching this film and knowing that this approach brings a huge difference to many women's lives, it makes me feel glad and hopeful for them. Whatever works for them are good methods, and I don't see it as a preach to have women join pole dancing for therapy, it's just a message for women to find ways to love themselves, and reclaim their lives, by whatever means they would like to.
The scene where a few men are invited to the class was also quite weird at first, but ultimately I understand the need, cause not only women exist on this planet, and the class was all female. Ultimately, they will need to confront the male gaze and the male presence, which is prevalent in the real world. This is their approach in teaching the women to deal with this, and I think it worked for them.
As for confining to heteronormative standards? True, but once again, that is what these women need. Even if myself do not adhere to the masculinity/femininity binary, some people do and I do not think I should criticize them for that, as they should not criticize me for embracing non-binary views.
This is a very empowering documentary, for those who can empathize with the interviewees and walk through their journeys with them.
