A Day With a Pole Dancer (Director’s Cut)

During the 2022 Christmas holidays, I had more free time than expected, so I decided to work on re-editing one of my short documentaries. In "A Day with a Pole Dancer" (director's cut), we delve into the life of Valentina Venditti, a talented pole dance instructor. Through her deep connection with pole dance, we explore significant themes such as self-esteem, passion, community, and self-determination. This mini-doc was filmed at Pole House, a renowned pole dance school in Turin that, unfortunately, is now closed. However, the legacy of Pole House lives on in the experiences of those who were part of the community, including teachers and former students, who have carried forward what they learned in other contexts. Through intimate images and shared stories with Valentina, we seek to capture the essence of what Pole House meant to her and to all those who were part of that community. Using Final Cut Pro's "voice isolation" tool, I recovered an unused interview. I adapted the soundtrack to offer an authentic and engaging look at what pole dance represents for Valentina and the legacy left by Pole House. Through this mini-doc, we hope to pay homage to a special place and inspire the audience to reflect on the transformative power of pole dance and the resilience of a community that continues to grow, despite the challenges life may present us. Awards: 2024 - 'Best Documentary' at Black & White Film Festival Toronto 2024 - 'Best Documentary' - Super Short Category at Alternative Film Festival Toronto Film festival selections: Lift-Off Global Network Sessions Stockholm City Film Festival Valencia Indie Film Festival