Belly dance… sensual and mystical, it’s origins shrouded in mystery, is the world’s oldest form of dance, one of the most pleasurable to watch and probably the most fulfilling to learn and practice. Belly dance disciples the world over claim the dance is highly empowering, spiritual and transformational. Through a fortuitous chance meeting at the age of thirty-two, mutli-faceted artist, best-selling author and rock and roll icon Pleasant Gehman discovered belly dancing. After years of punk rock rebellion, debauched cross-country indie- band tours, substance abuse, low self-esteem and bulimia, this twist of fate literally changed her life. Embarking on a dance career with no training at an age when many professionals are considering retirement, she reinvented herself as Princess Farhana, and became an international belly dance star. “Underbelly” provides the viewer with a sneak peak into one woman’s transcendent journey as well as this unique, rarely seen world by tracing a year in the life of Princess Farhana. From Hollywood, California to The Mexican Riviera, from the United Kingdom to the prairies of Canada, from New York City to the heartland of America, “Underbelly” illuminates the world of belly dance, as it exists today. With views from the stage and into the private off-stage world of the dancers, it covers the fundamentals and history of the dance, how it’s taught, how it changes and heals lives, and addresses the differences between the purely traditional styles and the myriad genres contemporary belly dance fusion, from tribal to gothic to burlesque. Candid interviews with stars and well-known authorities in the field such as Rachel Brice, Tonya & Atlantis, Rachel Lazarus Soto, Marta Schill, Samantha Riggs and Kajira Djoumahna bump up against the opinions of starry-eyed students and hobbyists. Performances by Princess Farhana, John Compton, comedian Margaret Cho, Blacksheep Belly Dance and Tempest illuminate the range of styles and how each artist puts a personal signature on the world’s oldest dance, as it’s performed today. FILM THREAT -- “Balderson is an unbiased invisible presence throughout. His camera is everywhere: capturing moments, serving as a confessional, recording thoughts, but never intruding… UNDERBELLY is so well done and feels so complete that it almost transcends the subject matter and becomes a documentary about passion.” BELLY DANCE TV -- "I'm glad someone recognized the significance of one individual's journey and the impact it can have on the people whose lives it touches. "Underbelly" is an artfully crafted documentary that reveals the humanity in the fantasy world of belly dance." ZAGHAREET MAGAZINE -- “Gutsy and honest...with insight into the history of belly dance, the evolution of different dance styles, and why so many dancers are drawn to this beautiful art form…You’ll definitely want to see this movie and add this DVD to your collection.”