Paris Is Burning

1990

Action / Documentary / Drama / Romance

22
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Certified Fresh 98% · 65 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 88% · 2.5K ratings
IMDb Rating 8.2/10 10 19729 19.7K

harlem transgender new york city transvestism aids homophobia

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Plot summary

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 Photo
Jennie Livingston

Top cast

Geoffrey Holder Photo
Geoffrey Holder as Self
Shari Headley Photo
Shari Headley as Self
Gwen Verdon Photo
Gwen Verdon as Self
Fran Lebowitz Photo
Fran Lebowitz as Self
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU
708.61 MB
968*720
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 17 min
Seeds 3
1.29 GB
1440*1072
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 17 min
Seeds 53

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by ihrtfilms 7 / 10

Drags have all the fun...

I came into this knowing very little and came out having watched a fascinating documentary. Made back in 1990, the film follows the majority African American and Latino LGBT communities of New York and the 'ball culture' they attended. I knew nothing of this culture so I found it thoroughly interesting to see inside it. The ball culture consisted of balls hosted by a Queen and King and where contestants 'walk' or compete in different categories. These might be glamour, or decadence or office worker or almost anything. Many of those competing did so for 'Houses' and winning a trophy for your house was something that could make you 'legendary'.Mixing interviews with participants, House leaders and fans, there is a joy in seeing these events take place as despite the overwhelming campness and no doubt hidden bitching, there seems to be a high level of support. It seemed like an amazing night out and for participants an opportunity to express themselves they might not get a chance to do elsewhere.One of the few aspects of the film I did know about was voguing. Madonna made voguing part of popular culture, but the balls are where it first came to prominence as participants would have vogue offs. And the voguing in question is not the Madonna version. This is highly stylized, athletic and fierce and amazing to watch.It is a wonderful insight into a world that you never really here about or indeed see and it would be fascinating to revisit these people and to see whether ball culture exists in the same way today. I loved the end line from drag queen Dorian Corey: 'If you shoot a arrow and it goes real high, hurray for you'.More of my reviews at my site iheartfilms.weebly.com
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Reviewed by ianwagnerwatches 8 / 10

Heartbreaking, yet empowering

Paris is Burning gives audiences a very real look at the gauntlet that transgender people endure, and while life has improved for LGBTQ+ peoples since this film's release in 1990, most of the discussions in this incredible documentary still ring true in the modern world. This film entertains and paints an almost alluring image of Ball culture and the Harlem drag scene, in all its gritty detail, yet remains objective and informative. I believe this is a film that everybody should see, especially people with limited experience with the LGBTQ+ community, for the sake of understanding and loving those with struggles we do not and/or cannot understand.

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