Why it matters what the true exotic dancers think about "Hustlers"

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Editor's Note: Breena Kerr is a freelance journalist who writes about culture, entertainment, travel, science and current affairs. His work has been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, BBC, Rolling Stone and many other publications. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.

(CNN) - “Hustlers,” the true story of a group of exotic dancers who beat the financial crisis of 2008 by drugging and plucking wealthy and hot New Yorkers, premiered with enthusiastic critics over the weekend. Having raised $ 33 million and exceeded revenue expectations, it has so far been the best opening week for Jennifer Lopez, who co-stars in the film with Constance Wu, in her roles as the master minds of the illegal business scheme.

But many exotic real-life dancers have spoken against the film on social networks, saying they are upset about an inconsistency: a film about exotic fiction dancers is held while in real life exotic dancers are often excluded and marginalized Some also say they fear that their work - already stigmatized - will now be entangled with criminal activity.

I saw "Hustlers" over the weekend and I loved it. She has the same timeless appeal as Robin Hood, except that on this occasion Robin Hood works in a cabaret, steals from Wall Street scammers and gives it away, well, to herself. Or also, when Lopez's character, Ramona, presents his ethical point of view to Destiny, played by Wu: "the game is fixed, it doesn't reward whoever follows the rules." Ramona acts accordingly. But after talking with several women who do real-life work enhanced in the movie, I have more complex feelings about "Hustlers."

The exotic dancers with whom I spoke, as well as many with whom I spoke on social networks, stressed that their objection is to portray women like them as criminals, noting that those who do this work are doing this job and point; They are putting on a show because that is their job.

Jacqueline Frances, an exotic dancer, artist and comedian who served as a consultant for “Hustlers,” then told me on the phone that “Huslters” is not so much about getting away with a crime, nor about the world of nightclubs. in general. It is a story about women "who survive in capitalism." If we look at the reviews and the box office, people are fascinated. Why, then, do real exotic dancers seem to ask themselves, do they not receive more support for the work they choose to do in our capitalist world?

While exotic dance is one of the few branches of so-called sex work that is legal, severe regulations on exotic dance are indicative of how uncomfortable legislators and voters are in this immutable profession. In some cities, the dancers must cover their nipples and be at least 2 meters from the clients. In others, they cannot sell alcohol or give private dances with physical contact. And even in other cities, dancers cannot touch their breasts or buttocks at work. To which, I wonder, are we so afraid?

The exotic and cabaret dancer based in Las Vegas, Isabelle Green, told me that she suspects why the public's relationship with exotic dancers can be so tense. "I think it is difficult for people to combine privacy with money," he said. Green mentioned that he does not intend to see “Hustlers,” because he fears that it gives the impression that exotic dancers respectful of the laws when they go to work are literally cheating people.

"It's just a job," several exotic dancers told me. A legal, taxable job, and that comes with the unexpected mundane trap of eight-hour shifts and dress codes.

After the success of "Hustlers," many exotic dancers raised their voices on social media to ask: if viewers encourage the Hollywood version of exotic dancers, why aren't true exotic dancers more accepted and visible? Could it be that we are excited about exotic dance as long as it is bright, criminal and extremely lucrative, but that we are rejected by the realities of the exotic dance workday as a regular job? It's something Salem, an exotic dancer based in Denver, Colorado, has experience with. When he made public that he was an exotic dancer, many relatives and friends stopped talking to him. Others, he told me, began sending him messages with money offers in exchange for sex and company.

Salem reflected on the reaction he thinks he would receive if he went to see "Hustlers" in his work clothes.

"I thought it would be very funny to go see this movie wearing my exotic dancer tacos," he said. “I think I would receive many opinions and comments from people. As if it were good for people to play the role of exotic dancer but it is not right for someone to really be an exotic dancer. ”

Going to the same point, several exotic dancers told me that it bothers them to see that “Hustlers” is celebrated on social media platforms like Instagram, while those same sites take measures to restrict and block the type of sexual content that exotic dancers and Sex workers need to publish to promote their work.

“Almost everyone I know has their account removed,” says Green. Frances, who has also hidden her account ("Jacq the Stripper") in searches and has also removed it says "they are literally erasing us from social networks."

Frances said she hoped, at the very least, that the film will draw attention to the need to improve the working conditions of exotic dancers. Among the initial scenes, there is one in which Destiny, played by Wu, leaves the club with only a few tickets in hand. Frances and the others have said that this is a reality for many exotic dancers, whose jobs bring several costs attached: from the expenses for hairdressing and makeup, to the fees owed for the disc jockey, the "house" and other staff. “You go through the door and you owe US ​​$ 140 just to do your job,” says Frances. "You have to do seven private dances before reaching zero."

Esoter alert: if you have seen "Hustlers", then you know that the film ends as the story of real life, with the arrest of the band of exotic dancers who drugged and robbed their customers. It reminded me of something that the women I spoke with said again and again: that one day they would like to see a story about an exotic dancer in which crime is not the center of the plot. No crime is needed, some of them told me, in a nightclub, and in the lives of exotic dancers, many interesting and unusual things happen. And maybe that movie is made in the not too near future, but first we must learn to be comfortable with exotic dancers and with the public of the country that demands their services.

Translation of Mariana Campos

Jennifer Lopez