Experiencing Interruptions?

This One Is for You

Celebrated burlesque dancer Jillian Schmitz (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Better Things, Glow..) shares her journey of navigating depression, emotional abuse, an eating disorder and the patriarchy in this empowering short documentary about embracing your authenticity in order to transform trauma into power.

  • Mesha Kussman
    Director
    Coen Bros' Hail, Caesar! (choreographer), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (choreographer), The Offer - Paramount Plus (choreographer), Lizzo 'About Damn Time' (choreographer), Justin Bieber 'Beauty & A Beat' (water choreographer), Rita Ora - 'You For Me' (choreographer), By Myself (director), This One Is For You (director), The New World (director), Alive in 2020 (director), CAKE (director), Aqualillies (founder)
  • Jillian Schmitz
    Key Cast
    "Self"
    Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Actress & Soloist/Principal burlesque dancer) Better Things (Actress & Soloist/Principal burlesque dancer) Physical (Principle dancer) Bar Rescue (Dance/Movement expert) True Blood (Principal dancer) Bunheads (Actress & Principle dancer) Emmy's (Principal dancer) DWTS (Principal dancer)
  • Jillian Schmitz
    Writer
  • Jillian Schmitz
    Producer
    see above
  • Mesha Kussman
    Producer
    see above
  • Jessica Petersen
    Director Photography
    In A Beat; American Soil, Chamorro Soul
  • Fredrik Söderström
    Composer
    Kenny Starfighter Dr Deo slår tillbaka (tv series 2022); Spooky's (tv series 2020); Mirakel (tv series 2020); Finaste familjen (tv series 2016-2019); Bauta (tv series 2017); American Burger (2014)
  • Erik Lewander
    Composer
    Spooky's (tv series 2020); Dröm (tv series 2019); Jordskott (tv series 2015-2017)
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Short Experimental, Short, Experimental, Documentary, Short Documentary, Experimental Documentary, Experimental Short Documentary, Short Experimental Documentary, burlesque, female empowerment, feminist film, motivational, uplifting, autobiographical, film memoir, dance film, mental health, dancer, eating disorder, depression, body dysmorphia, emotional abuse, recovery, wellness
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 16 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 21, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    7,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Sweden, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Mesha Kussman

Mēsha began her career as a choreographer (Coen Brothers' Hail, Caesar!, The Offer on Paramount Plus, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ... as well as music videos for Lizzo, Justin Bieber and Rita Ora. Her turn to directing is a long time in the making. After graduating from NYU's Experimental Theater program she assisted director Dennis Dugan on Adam Sandler movies before starting her own international dance company, Aqualillies in 2008. Mēsha’s directorial work focuses on melding dance, film and emerging technologies. Themes include body image, gender politics, feminism and using heightened aesthetics to communicate internal worlds. She aspires to be a modern Busby Berkeley, redefining grand spectacle for today's audience.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I was originally drawn to adapt Jillian’s live performance for screen because I identified with her story, but most of all, because I felt drawn in by her resilience. As a woman who has recently overcome the loss of both my parents, shortly after having two children of my own, I have been in deep reflection about what makes or breaks a person and the impact of the legacy one leaves behind. I admire how Jillian is willing to face and even dance through the dark corners of her pain. In sharing her personal story so candidly, she also strips away the shame and stigma that historically accompany the themes of violence and abuse which so many women face. Jillian is an example of how embracing one's authenticity is the key to healing and recovery. I want to leave a legacy behind as a woman who faces my personal demons, stands up to bullies, and through my life & work celebrates authenticity and self-love.

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A statement from Jillian Schmitz, the writer/performer-
Can a woman celebrate her sensuality and sexuality without being sexualized? I dance burlesque to celebrate female sexuality and sensuality. To highlight its beauty and creative power. This is often confused with being sexualized. My performances are not to satiate the traditional male gaze. It is to share insight into my own female expression and spirit. I discard clothing as an analogy for letting go and transformation. I expose myself as a metaphor for freedom.

Jillian Schmitz, is an active member of sobriety, and recovery. She is a mental health, eating disorder, abuse and addiction recovery advocate.

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This is a film that makes space for emotional abuse, mental illness, misogyny and recovery in the cultural dialogue. And it liberates women’s sexuality by claiming it for her own.

The film is written, choreographed, created, performed, filmed, edited and directed by women.