Described by director Yu Gu as being at the “intersection of several worlds, including football, women’s rights, and labor rights,” “A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem” sees two NFL cheerleaders filing class-action lawsuits against their teams for illegal employment practices.

Many cheerleaders believe they’ve landed their dream job when they get hired by NFL teams. After spending years practicing their craft, the dancers take center stage in front of massive crowds, using their time in the spotlight to channel the stadium’s energy and direct it towards their team. These women live for game day — but as one of the doc’s characters explains, “Game day doesn’t completely make up for the fact that we work for nine months straight with no paycheck.”

The job’s prestige and high profile are weaponized against the women — they are made to feel like they are lucky to be an NFL cheerleader even if they aren’t being properly compensated.  “A Woman’s Work” explores how cheerleaders are being asked to donate their time to a multi-billion dollar enterprise that profits from their labor, and to feel grateful for the fact that they get to be a part of that world — never mind the fact that they aren’t even making minimum wage.

“I want the audiences to reflect on themselves,” Gu told us. “Do you value women’s work? Why or why not? If you think of yourself as a feminist, are there still biases within yourself that separate you from other women? Women, are you perpetuating the same toxic power dynamics and cultural norms of the patriarchy that hurt you? Irrespective of political allegiances, what are your values when it comes to gender equality and how can you better live those values? Collective identity is important, but does that collective serve to uplift all its members?”

“A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem” is now available on VOD.