STRIKE A POSE (Ester Gould, Reijer Zwann, Netherlands/Belgium). 83 minutes. Rating: NNNN
A quarter-century after dancing on Madonna’s Vogue video and controversial Blond Ambition tour, then starring in the subsequent Truth Or Dare doc, Luis Camacho, José Gutierez, Salim Gauwloos, Kevin Stea and others reveal all about their estrangement from Madge (some filed lawsuits against her), how they dealt with fame and what they’ve been doing since.
Directors Ester Gould and Reijer Zwann set up the film beautifully, capturing a particular moment in pop culture. The subjects, still so photogenic, are candid, although some revelations of secrets they’ve lived with for decades don’t hit as hard as they might.
The filmmakers wisely withhold a group reunion until the end, allowing the doc to become a moving meditation on mortality, survival and forgiveness.
Apr 29, 7 pm, Hart House Apr 30, 1:45 pm, TIFF 2 May 7, 6:30 pm, Bloor Hot Docs
