I just came back from a rare (these days I hardly get away from my text books!) trip out to see Tournee with a friend Scarlett the Siren, which was screening as part of the French Film Festival in Brisbane. I have to say I do enjoy going to the Palace Barracks Cinema, even if their prices are a little steeper than my local.
I also met Lena Marlene and some of the scoundrelles down, appropriately enough, at French Twist. Lena, god bless her, is not only judging the Queensland Miss Burlesque heats, but is now also arranging the stage kittens for Miss Burlesque Gold Coast and Brisbane.
So Tournee, what did I think of it? I was dying to go see this film. I mean, anything with Dirty Martini in it and I'm THERE. The woman is a goddess!
On a personal level I really, really enjoyed it. Usually it takes me a few days to think deeper into the story and analyse it further however my initial reaction is a very positive one.
Asides from being about something I adore, performance, travel and France, I have to admit that I am in general quite a fan of French film.
I love that things aren't hammered into your face. Moments are left for you to decipher. The themes of loneliness were threaded out on a number of levels. I quite like the nod towards the loneliness of being a solo performer. It can feel terribly isolating when you're on a deadline elbow deep in half finished costumes, music that isn't quite right, or dealing with less than scrupulous types all the while knowing the fantasy land you live in will come tumbling down if the bills aren't paid. To top it off, the constant requirement to justify how burlesque is performance art (to those who feel its 'just' stripping), or being expected not to be wild, weird, and sexy onstage if that's the way I feel like being (to those who feel that burlesque should only be graceful and demure).
To be able to perform with all the artistic benefits of being a solo performer, but the supportive environment of a troupe situation seems like a dream.
I'm fascinated to know how much of it is documentary and how much staged as although it was filmed on a real tour of France, it is not filmed in documentary style. I'd love to know more, particularly when it comes to Mimi Le Meux's story, and the deep sadness she exudes.
I have to say I've also got a new burlesque crush though. Julie Atlas Muz is a firecracker of a woman and I love her style of aggressive neo burlesque. Queue lots of youtube research.
The film got fairly average reviews from the critics, with some citing a reasonable point which is that not enough is revealed about the performers themselves and their back stories. This may be so, and it probably could have been improved in a number of ways as I would certainly have liked more on the performers. However I loved it and in the face of a great deal of homogenised 'burlesque-lite' representations in popular media, it was a breath of fresh air to see it as it really is. Right up there on the big screen.
So here I am, re-inspired, re-energised, and looking forward to working 10 times as hard on my career. Whatever direction my performances take, I have to remember that it is MY art, and I'm allowed to do whatever the hell I want with it.
x Bella
