Exotic

A promotional recruitment video shot on a white-sand beach with resort hotels in the background features a plus-size man wearing beach casual clothes who introduces himself as the manager of the “world famous Club G-Spot” and emphasizes how safe it is to work, live, and relax on the U.S. island of Guam (this was before North Korea threatened Guam with nuclear annihilation). The work? Exotic dancer. Told through the perspectives of dancers, social workers, immigration officials, law enforcement officers, sex worker advocates, and others, the reality is often quite different from the picture painted by the promo. Although some women do find success and safety in a high-profile dancing gig, for many others it's at best a dead-end in an unfamiliar country, and at worse an entryway to other, sometimes dangerous occupations with ongoing risks of servitude, abuse, and violence. The basic arrangement works like this: women are recruited from America with a contract promising employment and perhaps other amenities (such as lodging) at a high-profile dance club with a good reputation. After arriving in Guam, if the club offering the contract doesn't like how the woman looks or performs, her contract can be “sold” to one or more other clubs, which may be total dives or dodgy joints in remote areas. Alone in a different culture, many are caught off guard and defenseless. The work spectrum ranges from “hostess” (essentially keeping polite company while men buy very expensive drinks) to outright prostitution. Of course, there are as many stories here as there are women: some have successfully navigated the dangers to make a solid living in Guam, where the adult industry is fueled by American servicemen and Japanese tourists. Often blunt, but non-sensational, Exotic offers a compelling look at a darker side of life in a tropical paradise. Recommended. Aud: P. (C. Block)