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NFB doc explores DJ Rhiannon's decision to pose for Playboy

When noted Canadian film critic, author and first time filmmaker Katherine Monk was introduced to DJ Rhiannon while researching female EDM (Electronic Dance Music) DJs for the National Film Board, she felt conflicted. The pretty Vancouver DJ had boosted her music career by posing for Playboy and generally turning up the sexual content in her music up — way up.

Rock The Box director Katherine Monk comments on issues in the film

Sarah Keenlyside · CBC Arts ·

NFB doc explores DJ Rhiannon's decision to pose for Playboy

9 years ago
Duration 4:46
When Rock the Box filmmaker Katherine Monk met DJ Rhiannon, she felt conflicted. Rhiannon had boosted her lagging music career by posing for Playboy, and turning up the sexual content in her music. On the other hand, she had managed to build a successful career in a male dominated industry with full ownership of her music and image. Monk's film explores Rhiannon's choices and in the process of making the film, Monk examines her own.

Update: Rock The Box is now streaming for free via the National Film Board!

When noted Canadian film critic, author and first time filmmaker Katherine Monk was introduced to DJ Rhiannon while researching female EDM (Electronic Dance Music) DJs for the National Film Board, she felt conflicted. The pretty Vancouver DJ had boosted her music career by posing for Playboy and generally turning up the sexual content in her music up — way up.

Monk, who considered herself at the time in the "Sinead O'Connor" school of feminism, wasn't sure girls should be taking their clothes off to get ahead. On the other hand, Rhiannon had managed to build a successful career, with full ownership of her music and image, in a male dominated industry — DJ Mag's latest top 100 list only includes three female acts.

This conflict forms the basis of Monk's short film for the National Film Board, Rock the Box, and the debate carries on in this week's episode of Exhibitionists, where we hear Monk's side of the story. 

Watch Exhibitionists Sunday at 4:30pm (5pm NT) on CBC Television.

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