Paris Is Burning
Origin of voguing and the precise meaning of throwing shade are explored in this landmark documentary. It captures the vibrant 1980s through the lens of New York City's Harlem ballroom culture, rooted in African American and Latinx communities. Filmed over seven years, Paris Is Burning offers an intimate portrait of rival houses as they compete for trophies, while house mothers provide nourishment and guidance in a world marked by homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty. Featuring iconic voguing performers, drag queens, and trans women, including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey, and Venus Xtravaganza.
Director(s)
Jennie Livingston
Cast & Crew
Details
Reviews
CinemaSerf
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.
All Trailers
Paris Is Burning FAQs
Jennie Livingston is the director of Paris Is Burning.
The cast of Paris Is Burning includes Shari Headley as Self (uncredited), Octavia St. Laurent as Self, Jose Guitierez as Self (uncredited), Paris Dupree as Self, Junior LaBeija as Self, Pepper LaBeija as Self, Venus Xtravaganza as Self, Dorian Corey as Self, Willi Ninja as Self, Freddie Pendavis as Self, Sol Williams Pendavis as Self, Angie Xtravaganza as Self, and more.
The duration of Paris Is Burning is 1h 18 mins.
Yes. You can watch the Paris Is Burning trailer on this Fanbiz page on Fanziz.
Paris Is Burning was released on 13 Mar 1991.
Paris Is Burning is listed under Documentary on Fanbiz.
Paris Is Burning has 1 review on Fanziz, with an average rating of 7.0/10. One reviewer wrote: "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 chan..."
