The Naked Flame

The other reviews overlook the obvious -- and I'm not just talking about the gratuitous nudity. This micro-budget film (incredibly cheap looking, even by Canadian standards) tries to have it both ways and fails miserably. Half the time it tries to be an earnest culture clash drama but the script is boring and gutless.

The Doukhobors, an Amish-like isolationist ethnic Russian Christian sect, clashed with Canadian authorities in 1900s British Columbia over land seizures by the government, compulsory education, etc. They protested against Canadian policy and materialism with acts of mass nudity and arson.

So, based on true events, this film tries to jazz up a limp story with many silly protest scenes and ritual bonfires where (mostly attractive) women get naked and sing songs ("The Naked Flame", get it?). And everyone is so dead-pan serious, it makes you want to laugh. It just doesn't work. Worth seeing only for the novelty of vintage nudity (in grainy color), and that's about all.