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With Woodstock, My Winnipeg, Trouble The Water and Begging Naked all shown at Ebertfest this year, it feels like this festival is becoming all about documentaries. This would be a complaint if it weren’t for the fact that the ones I’ve seen have been so darn good, in particular Friday’s opener Begging Naked.

The story follows the life of Elise Hill, a woman originally from New Jersey who ran away from home to New York City at the age of 15 to get away from her abusive father. Elise soon found herself living with pimp, working as a prostitute, and becoming a heroin addict. After she cleaned her life up and got out of rehab, Elisa began living in a space that used to be for air ducts and spent her time painting and working as a stripper. This is only the tip of the iceberg of Elisa’s fascinating life.

Chaz Ebert once again came out to introduce the film and told the story of how Roger was first introduced to the film, via an unsolicited copy of the film sent to him. Chaz explained how it’s odd that Roger saw this film since they are sent numerous films over the course of the year and that he randomly picked up Begging Naked. After he saw the film, Roger emailed the director Karen Gehres and invited her to have the film played at Ebertfest.

Gehres came out for a Q & A session after the film, hosted by festival director Nate Kohn and festival blogger Lisa Rosman. Gehres spoke about how she had been friends with Hill for many years and that it was Hill herself who wanted Gehres to film her life, saying the reason was so she’d have proof.

Another story Gehres told was about when she asked Hill if she would join her in attending Ebertfest. Hill thought about it, but ultimately decided not to, saying she was too fragile and didn’t know what people expected from her.

One of the coolest things about this screening is that some of Elise Hill’s artwork was put up outside of the theater and was going to be sold with all proceeds going to her.** According to Guehres, all the money she makes from selling her paintings at screenings of the films goes directly to buying art supplies.

This was one of those films that I had absolutely zero expectations because I’d never heard of it but walked away pleasantly surprised. Only at Ebertfest.

**Every piece of Hill's artwork was sold