Mixing fashion and cultural history, the short documentary “High On Heels” is a brief but entertaining look at one of the most iconic of fashion accessories. From allusions to the elaborately costumed Madame de Pompadour, mistress of King Louis XV of France, to Cinderella and her glass slipper, writer-director Adelin Gasana who produced the film with Lola Kayode takes the viewer on a journey of the enduring shoe style.
There are interviews with a variety of heel mavens including dancer-choreographer Jessica Washington who touts a high heel’s ability to give the wearer a literal life and make her feel confident and empowered; shoe designers Tanya Heath and Robin Wood; Ariel artist Torwa Joe whose Torwa Joe Fitness teaches women how to strengthen their cores with pole dancing; and even a male cobbler who repairs shoes and heels.
The film sprinkles many aspects of the high heel’s role in history and couture. There is footage of a lecture from historian/curator Lisa Small cut with sensationalistic local news segments about the dangers of driving in heels. There are frequent empowerment messages about the physical and psychological boost to wearing heels such as testimony from the proprietor of a modeling school for young girls who tells them “life is your runway” and another who states plainly that high heels equal sex and it’s “an equation that shows ho sign of disappearing.”
And the film gives us some serious stilettos. Besides the dancers and models, there’s the testimony of Velicia Hill, entrepreneur of the shoe store Ms. Heel. “High On Heels” is balanced by chiropractors and podiatrists who talk about how the shoes can throw the body out of alignment and others who advise those who wear heels for long periods of time such as at work to give their feet regular breaks. This is a balanced documentary that celebrates the high heel but also offers caution. One thing is clear: it’s a valued part of most wardrobes and it isn’t going anywhere.
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