Liberty's Booty

Liberty’s Booty is an investigation into prositution from a female perspective under a late capitalist economy. The film is also a document and a celebration of a New York subculture in the late seventies. With a dense mix of real testimonies, verité footage and acted out scenarios, this film examines power relations and the commodification of the body. The film alludes to a growing globalisation with its reference to a MacDonalds strike in Dublin and imagery of Pope Paul’s visit to Ireland in 1979 which in retrospect, is seen as marking a final attempt to halt the transformation of Irish society.

Directed by Vivienne Dick, Liberty's Booty leans on a strong ensemble — Nan Goldin — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 1980.