Leslie Zemeckis directs the documentary Behind the Burly Q (First Run Features, 98 minutes), an in-depth look at the history of burlesque as seen through the eyes of the women who took part in this highly misunderstood form of entertainment.  Executive produced by Robert Zemeckis (Beowulf, A Christmas Carol), the project, which debuts on DVD Tuesday, features a plethora of interviews and over 600 pictures detailing the colorful and at times tragic stories which arose out of the burlesque world.

“I really tried to encompass their lives,” said Zemeckis, who traveled to Mississippi, New Jersey, and Florida to conduct some of her interviews.  “Not just burlesque, but where did they come from, what happened afterwards.  Little side stories that had happened to them.  Across the board you can’t generalize who these women were.  Most of them, and because of the times, did come from very hard backgrounds.  Either very poor, abused, not a lot of education and there really was no means for them to get out of their situation. They used stripping, and they used burlesque as a means to better themselves.”

Click on the media bar and listen to Leslie Zemeckis talk about the special features on the DVD. 

Click on the media bar and listen to Zemeckis detail actor Alan Alda’s personal connection with burlesque (Alda is interviewed in the documentary).

The director also discusses burlesque’s huge impact on show business:

For more information and updates on Behind the Burly Q, check out BehindtheBurlyQ.com.

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posted by Greg Srisavasdi