Decibels Film Festival: Tight & Nerdy

Tight & Nerdy is a feature-length documentary about the first and only burlesque troupe devoted to the music of “Weird Al” Yankovic. The film follows founder Pickles Kintaro, who was born in South Korea and adopted by a white, Christian conservative family before discovering burlesque and building a community centered on humor, acceptance, and self-expression.

The documentary also profiles the troupe’s chosen family: Odessa Lil, the caustically funny daughter of a Holocaust survivor; Mistress Marla Spankx, a reserved human-resources executive with a daring side; and Pearl E. Gates, a creatively frustrated daycare provider who became a full-time burlesque performer. As Tight & Nerdy prepares to return to the stage where it began, the film explores the troupe’s travels, performances, and the personal transformation that comes from learning to love oneself. Its themes include female empowerment, body positivity, self-acceptance, and finding connection despite feeling different or excluded. The film features over-the-top costumes, larger-than-life personalities, unforgettable performances, and a new interview with “Weird Al” Yankovic.

When: November 21, 2026

Showtimes: Saturday at 2:00 PM

Run time: 82 minutes

Venue: Cinema Salem

Tickets: Price not available. Tickets may be purchased at https://decibels.eventive.org/schedule/6abd2508df893f49a346040d

Presented by: Decibels Film Festival, co-presented by Salem Film Festival