“You can take risks without ending up dismembered in a trunk.” So says the proprietress of À mon seul désir, a strip club that offers high concept performances: dances set to a techno remix of “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” recitations of Chekhov, a striptease comically depicting the yellow vest protests.

When aimless Manon (Louise Chevillotte, Benedetta) begins work there, she instantly bonds with her fellow strippers, particularly Mia (César Award winner Zita Hanrot), an aspiring actress with a boyfriend and child. Manon learns that it is “not easy money, but fast money” and when she finds herself falling for Mia, she is forced to question her priorities as she explores her newfound erotic life.

With inspired cameos by Melvil Poupaud (Time to Leave, Frameline30), Félix Maritaud (Knife+Heart, Frameline Fangs 2019), legendary director Frederick Wiseman, and Ariane Labed (The Lobster), Lucie Borleteau’s My Sole Desire is an exuberant but unvarnished look at sex workers through a feminine gaze, showcasing a non-judgmental portrait of this troupe of women and their complex relationship with sexuality. The result is a sensual, poetic journey, anchored by the strong lead performances of Chevillotte and Hanrot.