Suicide Girls - The First Tour (2005)

A surprise grassroots phenomenon, the Suicide Girls have seen their popularity soar in the last few years. This post-feminist version of a burlesque group features confidant, individualistic women with piercings, dyed hair, tattoos, and sexy but unique bodies. The brand began life as a website and a book, and has subsequently blossomed into a national tour; in 2004, when this program--part documentary and part live performance--was filmed, the group performed 60 shows in 45 cities, and sold out nearly all of them. There's no full nudity here, though some of the girls are just a few strips of tape or spoonfuls of chocolate syrup away, and in their thoughtful interviews the girls make it clear that, far from being exploited, they're in this to have fun and show off. Included here are segments on the founder, the charming and intelligent Missy Suicide, and on each of the girls, featuring photo shoots and footage of their strip shows along with their thoughts and interests. There's also a variety of excellent alternative music, which is almost as important an element of the tour as the titillating dance routines.