Paris Is Burning

"Having a ball… Wish you were here"

Aug 1 1991 R 1h 11m
Documentary

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.

Official Trailer
Plot

A documentary of New York's LGBT scene in the 1980s, showing the real life of poor Black and Latin LGBT people, introduce the ballrooms, the categories, the houses, the voguing, and the dreams and ambitions of these people who are systematically excluded from society, they fight to conquer the right to be and to reinvent themselves in a world starring straight and white people. They use the balls to show their creativity, have fun with their community and family, shining, and having their names recognized in the ballroom scene.

Written by

N/A

Directed by

Jennie Livingston

Cast

Brooke Xtravaganza, André Christian, Dorian Corey

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Miramax

Languages

English

Awards

17 wins & 1 nomination

Trailers
PARIS IS BURNING Trailer
Scores
# of Votes
20,849
Average Rating
8.2 out of 10
Metascore
82
Popularity
NA