Ex Dominatrix: A True Story

Ira is a fashion student who really likes to be in control. Childhood flashbacks show us a little girl who loves people and enjoys bossing them about in roughly equal proportions. When she decides to become a professional dominatrix, she uses her design skills to create a series of glamourous personas she can then inhabit. She describes her work as ‘playing’, and it is clear that many clients who enjoy enacting the role of devotee or slave are genuinely fond of her as well. She becomes a celebrated personality in the world of BDSM or ‘bondage, domination and sado-masochism’. But then, when one of her favourite customers accidentally dies during a session, Ira is accused of murder. This tightly-constructed documentary uses Ira’s own narration to create a perspective which allows us to see her world from her own point of view, while enthusiastically objectifying its latex-clad subject. The cinematography is consistently sharp and inventive and includes a series of beautifully lit, erotically-charged scenes that would make Helmut Newton proud. It also benefits from a director who is unfailingly sensitive to the emotional connection between the characters. Y

Well-directed true-life story documentary. Ira, is very charismatic and it makes the doc even more interesting, with very emotional scenes... sad, happy and funny at times. Definitely a must-see.

I like to expand my heart, and this documentary touched me with its authentic feel. I have no connection with BDSM but felt very connected to the human being Ira. Isn't that what this life experience is all about? I enjoy documentaries, and this one flowed beautifully about the story and invitation to move through and on from any form of bondage--pun intended. Ex Dominatrix invites me to be free.