ABOUT THE PROJECT
LOGLINE
A serious look into the absurd world of Tight & Nerdy—the first and only burlesque troupe devoted to the music of “Weird Al” Yankovic.
SYNOPSIS
SHOWGALS is a feature-length documentary that takes viewers on a journey deep inside the world of Tight & Nerd—the world’s first burlesque troupe devoted to rock music’s multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning misfit, “Weird Al” Yankovic.
The origins of Tight & Nerdy are rooted in the story of its founder Pickles Kintaro. Born in South Korea and adopted into a white, Christian conservative family, Pickles stood out in a world in which she wanted nothing more than to blend. Upon discovering the empowering force that is burlesque, she became the leader of the nerdiest group of “strippers” the world has ever seen—surrounding herself with friends that exude the kind of warmth and unconditional love that she did not experience during her childhood.
SHOWGALS focuses on Pickles and her chosen family—the main members of Tight & Nerdy: Odessa Lil’, the caustically funny daughter of a Holocaust survivor, Mistress Marla Spankx, the shy HR executive with a secret wild side, and Pearl E. Gates, the creatively frustrated day-care provider turned full-time burlesquer. Along the way, the performers reveal what happens when people are given the chance to learn how to love themselves and how Weird Al inspires them just by being himself so loudly and so proudly.
The film documents what may be this troupe’s final tour, giving viewers a glimpse into what drives this niche art form. With themes of female empowerment, body positivity and self-acceptance, SHOWGALS is aimed squarely at those who have ever felt powerless, bullied, lonely or simply “not enough.” SHOWGALS ultimately tells the tale of finding connections in a chaotic world, and learning how to accept that which makes one different, all wrapped up in big personalities, over-the-top costumes, unforgettable performances—and a brand-new interview with “Weird Al” Yankovic.
PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature
DIRECTOR Jeff Nucera, Jonathan Ruane
PRODUCER Jeff Nucera, Jonathan Ruane
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Eddie Schmidt
WEBSITE showgalsthemovie.com
FACEBOOK Facebook Page
The Film Collaborative (TFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programs and services for independent filmmakers. TFC’s federal tax ID number is 32-0295081. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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