TBA:19 Partner Program

Co-presented with Northwest Film Center and JUDY

SHAKEDOWN is the story of Los Angeles’ black lesbian strip club scene and its genesis. Owned and operated by women, underground and illegal in nature, the club Shakedown is the darker, faster, younger iteration of this dance culture. The film is a window into this world. Shakedown emerged from a post-RIOTS, post-OJ, post-integration but still very racially divided Los Angeles. In this divided city Shakedown is an independent, all black and all female cash economy.

SHAKEDOWN chronicles the explicit performances and personal relationships of the party’s dancers and organizers including Ronnie-Ron, Shakedown Productions’ creator and emcee; Mahogany, the legendary “mother” of the community; Egypt, their star performer; and Jazmine, the “Queen” of Shakedown.

ARTIST BIO

Born in Los Angeles, USA in 1979, Leilah Weinraub currently lives in New York. She is an artist and director and also CEO of the Hood By Air fashion label. Her work focuses on the themes of race, class, and gender with a particular interest in queer communities and people of color.

WRITER & DIRECTOR LEILAH WEINRAUB

PRODUCERS LEILAH WEINRAUB, PILAR WILEY, MICHAEL HEKMAT, DRAKE BURNETTE, RIEL ROCH-DECTER

EDITOR MATT HOLLIS

MUSIC TIM DEWIT