Bunny Yeager’s Bold Legacy Reborn: ‘Naked Ambition’ Documentary Explores the Pinup Queen Who Revolutionized the Lens
The iconic name Bunny Yeager is finally getting the spotlight it deserves. Music Box Films has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Naked Ambition, a provocative new documentary that uncovers the groundbreaking career of Bunny Yeager—a woman who transitioned from glamorous 1950s pinup model to one of the most influential photographers of her generation.
Directed by acclaimed filmmakers Dennis Scholl and Kareem Tabsch, the Bunny Yeager documentary Naked Ambition is poised to reframe her legacy for modern audiences when it hits select theaters starting September 12.
With appearances by Dita Von Teese, Bruce Weber, and Larry King (in his final on-screen appearance), this documentary promises more than eye candy—it’s a cultural reckoning.
The Forgotten Queen of the Camera: Who Was Bunny Yeager?
Long before the selfie became a social phenomenon, Bunny Yeager was crafting her own image—and then turning the camera around on others. Born in the 1920s, Yeager’s career began in front of the lens as a celebrated pinup model, where her striking beauty and charisma made her a standout in an era dominated by male photographers.
But her most radical act came when she stepped behind the camera, becoming one of the most famous female photographers in America.
“Bunny was the most famous female photographer in America,” says Larry King in the trailer. “Her name should be as well-known as the women she photographed.”
Her most famous muse? Bettie Page, the jet-black-haired goddess of mid-century eroticism. It was Yeager who discovered Page and captured some of her most enduring, and controversial, images—ones that helped define Playboy’s aesthetic, launched a thousand imitators, and changed how women could control their image.
From Bikinis to Feminism: Bunny’s Cultural Shockwave
While Yeager’s lush, color-saturated photographs popularized the bikini in American culture, her deeper contribution was her radical authorship of the female gaze. As co-director Kareem Tabsch notes:
“Through her lens, Bunny gave women the power to present themselves on their own terms.
Naked Ambition celebrates not just her artistry,
but how she used beauty as a tool for empowerment and self-determination.”
Kareem Tabsch
co-director
This bold exploration positions the Bunny Yeager documentary Naked Ambition not merely as a biographical profile, but as a vital look into the origins of modern feminist image-making. While male contemporaries like Helmut Newton and Hugh Hefner received institutional recognition, Yeager’s influence faded as the sexual revolution she helped ignite grew contentious.
Dazzling Cast, Documentary Cred, and Final Farewells
Naked Ambition is brought to life by directors Dennis Scholl and Kareem Tabsch, known for celebrated documentaries Mucho Mucho Amor and The Last Resort. The film features an eclectic and poignant mix of voices:
-
Dita Von Teese, modern burlesque legend, offers firsthand insights into Yeager’s enduring influence on glamour and power.
-
Bruce Weber, iconic fashion photographer, connects Yeager’s work to today’s visual culture.
-
Larry King, in his final film appearance, pays tribute to her genius with characteristic gravity.
With cinematography by Ed Talavera and music direction courtesy of executive producer Alex Fumero, the film promises both lush visuals and historical depth.
A Cinematic Reclamation: When and Where to Watch
Music Box Films has slated the theatrical release of Naked Ambition for September 12, launching in select U.S. cities with a focus on cultural and artistic hubs such as Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco.
To elevate its release, Music Box is teaming up with strategic consulting agency Cultural Counsel, promising special screenings and curated events celebrating Bunny’s artistic legacy. The studio adds:
“Naked Ambition goes beyond Bunny’s photos… she was a woman with unbridled determination.”
This reclaiming of Yeager’s story arrives at a moment when women’s control over their image—and how the world sees them—is once again under scrutiny.
Why Bunny Yeager’s Story Matters Now
In an age where empowerment through self-image is both celebrated and commodified, Yeager’s pioneering work feels more urgent than ever. She didn’t wait for permission to lead the cultural conversation—she posed the question, then captured the answer.
“With Naked Ambition, I was inspired by Bunny Yeager’s fearless artistry—her ability to reframe how women saw themselves and how the world saw them,”
Dennis Scholl
co-director
For those who admire art, fashion, photography, or feminism, this film offers not just a tribute, but a cultural reckoning. And for those who’ve admired Bunny’s iconic images without ever knowing her name—this is the time to finally say it.
Bunny’s Comeback Is Picture-Perfect
Naked Ambition isn’t just about Bunny Yeager—it’s about who controls the camera, and by extension, the story. Her life was a radical act of artistic autonomy, and now, her influence is impossible to ignore. When it hits theaters September 12, prepare to witness a reclaimed icon whose legacy challenges everything you thought you knew about power, beauty, and the female gaze.
