Paris Is Burning

Unrated

4/20/19911h 18m

Premiere Release (US)

~ Having a ball… Wish you were here ~

Overview:

Where does voguing come from, and what, exactly, is throwing shade? This landmark documentary provides a vibrant snapshot of the 1980s through the eyes of New York City's African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene. Made over seven years, PARIS IS BURNING offers an intimate portrait of rival fashion "houses," from fierce contests for trophies to house mothers offering sustenance in a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty. Featuring legendary voguers, drag queens, and trans women — including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey, and Venus Xtravaganza.

Director:

Jennie Livingston

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$500,000.00

Revenue:

$3,800,000.00

Key words:

new york city
transvestism
aids
homophobia
drag queen
male homosexuality
transsexual
subculture
shoplifting
lgbt
drag
woman director
harlem, new york city
black lgbt
1980s
voguing
ball culture

Cast

Pepper LaBeija

~ as ~

Self

Octavia St. Laurent

~ as ~

Self

Venus Xtravaganza

~ as ~

Self

Dorian Corey

~ as ~

Self

Willi Ninja

~ as ~

Self

Paris Dupree

~ as ~

Self

Freddie Pendavis

~ as ~

Self

Sol Williams Pendavis

~ as ~

Self

Junior LaBeija

~ as ~

Self

Angie Xtravaganza

~ as ~

Self

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

CinemaSerf
Written 7 month(s) ago
7
Set over a seven year period, this follows not just the evolution of a group of 1980s New York African-American and Latino drag artists, but it also shines quite a light on changing societal attitudes as these lively, strong and characterful folk try to assert their own identity amidst a city not always accepting or willing. It’s all about balls - literally and metaphorically, and showcases a community determined not to be ground down by using their exuberant fashions, dancing, extroversion, competitive spirit and overwhelming sense of community to provide each other with strength and inspiration. They are all from a working class background, but again are bent on using their wits to start businesses, to travel the world, to achieve stardom and to prove their worth to themselves and their frequently hostile and/or bamboozled neighbours. As you’d expect, there’s a lively soundtrack that epitomises the spunkiness of these people, there’s a flamboyance and there is also a vulnerability - rather tragically illustrated towards the end that shows us that being different, proud and “out” is not necessarily the same as being safe and respected. The contributors are passionate, erudite and engaging and though the timeframe offers us a degree of hope that lasting change is coming, slowly - it also reminds us that that change is neither consistent nor guaranteed. At times a little repetitive, maybe one too many catwalks, but it’s still a fascinating insight into an urban sub-culture set upon flourishing.