A Bunny Girl’s Tale

A Bunny Girl’s Tale is a short introspective film detailing what it meant to be a Bunny Girl specifically in 1970s England. As director Sarah Miles herself wished to be a Bunny Girl when she was younger, she interviews several original Bunnies out of curiosity as well as to learn the rules and expectations of the job. Whilst this insight is fun as the women reminisce, the short film also briefly touches on the hard-hitting reality of the profession – and with that comes a more sinister side.

‘We thought we knew it all, but we didn’t – but we had a great time’

Produced in 1998, multi-layers of nostalgia and discussion are at play here. The film begins with brief insights from women who are looking back on their youth and their work as Bunnies and the realities of the job. Some moments are hard-hitting, as they expand upon the regulations into how women had to look and behave, along with the training that they all had to obey. It is undoubtedly a thought-provoking ‘where are they now’ film, as the audience gets to see where these women’s lives have led after being a Bunny. Although, this is only briefly! It does feel as though their individual narratives are brushed over a little bit too quickly and it seems a shame to not focus more into that. The hindsight that these women are able to offer is empowering, despite describing themselves as ‘naïve’ young women at the time. Important themes are touched upon too, along with a lack of male shame versus female enjoyment and the desire for glamour and attention.

The 1976 unsolved murder of a Bunny Girl is an unsettling twist in reality that no one being interviewed wished to discuss. Therefore, Miles’ musings on the case are brushed aside fairly quickly in favour of more reminiscent dialogue on ‘the good old days.’ And there isn’t much information about this crime online which proves Miles to be correct – either not much is known about it, or no one wants to talk about it. However, this scene is over as quickly as it starts, and we are left wondering what on earth happened to that poor woman.

Filmed inside nondescript locations, such as inside a house or outside in a green space, as well as a studio, allows for the camerawork to be fairly artsy and experimental in style. In exploring different medias with dramatizations, along with archive footage, this short film presents itself as forward-thinking. Needless to say, this film is one for recalling fond memories from a very middle-class English perspective, rather than focusing on the heavier topics. This leaves the tone of the film feeling slightly confused, as we struggle to perhaps understand the messages that Miles wants to convey.

Despite having an intriguing atmosphere and being engaging to watch, the overall point of A Bunny Girl’s Tale is lost in the abstract camerawork and singing scenes – although beautifully shot, perhaps not the most impactful. We still find ourselves asking: what does it mean to be a Bunny Girl?