Paris Is Burning
Paris Is Burning
R | 13 March 1991 (USA)
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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.

Reviews
Hellen

I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

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Salubfoto

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

Mandeep Tyson

The acting in this movie is really good.

Logan

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

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The Movie Diorama

Documentaries that singlehandedly convey one person's life are far easier than to tackle an entire culture, so director Livingstone had a challenge ahead to portray New York's ballroom community. A minority culture powered by African-Americans, Latinos, gays and transgenders where they "walk" in a variety of categories for trophies. Against the controversy she received for being a white lesbian female, Livingston intelligently crafted a documentary that manages to be both historically significant and personably poignant. To portray a relatively underground subculture, using each key participant to tackle inherent issues that surround LGBT individuals, whilst presenting developed backstories of each competitor and remaining informative throughout, is nothing short of genius. The AIDS crisis, gender equality, the class and wealth system of American at the time, drag acts and the progression of fashion. A plethora of sensitive subjects where we view the perspective of possibly America's most prominent minority group. It was emotionally impactful and saddening to hear that these young performers yearn for fame and wealth, because it's something they've never experienced and believe it to be a privilege among "real" culture (a category within the balls where performers must act straight). The differing attitudes between younger performers like Venus Xtravaganza and the more experienced like Dorian Corey was refreshing to see. The whole documentary was incredibly powerful and insightful. It's unfortunate that it feels overstuffed, where the narrative cohesion needs more focus. The first half represents a history lesson in comparison to the second half that progresses towards the performers themselves. The short 78 minute runtime is mostly to blame, as Livingstone attempts to pack as many subjects in as possible. However, this documentary gifts us with a rare view into a subculture that never becomes sentimental or emotionally manipulative, and I truly appreciate that.

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gavin6942

A chronicle of New York's drag scene in the 1980s, focusing on balls, voguing and the ambitions and dreams of those who gave the era its warmth and vitality.My first impression while watching this is how it must have influenced both Madonna and "To Wong Foo". I am not completely sure on the latter, but the former seems to have been confirmed.I am impressed with how the culture of the gay community, or more specifically the drag community, is captured here. This is a very sincere, very honest look. And it is especially interesting because the vast majority of these drag queens are black or Hispanic. As the film says in the beginning, that is multiple strikes. (Traditionally, the black community is even harder on the gay community than whites are, so being black and gay is a treacherous life.)

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Red_Identity

I do remember hearing much about this film over the years. It had been recommended to me in a documentary filmmaking class that I took a few years ago. Why it took me this long to finally seek it out is beyond me. From the start it really captures you as a very engaged audience member interested and fascinated in the lives of these people. The film does a great job of really balancing a different number of people while never overwhelming the audience with a ton of information. Instead, we take a look at these shows and these few people and develop a real investment in what they have to say. It's the type of documentary that really puts into perspective how unique and special each individual is. It's a fascinating, powerful film that will hopefully continue to gain an audience.

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giatime

First of all I am a butch, straight white male. But even with that handicap I love this movie. It's about real people. A real time and place. And of course New York City in the 80's. I had many gay friends growing up in New York in the eighties and the one thing about them i always admired was their courage to live their lives the way they wanted to live them. No matter what the consequences. That's courageous. You have to admire that. This is a great film, watch it and take in what it was like to be a flamboyant African American or Hispanic Gay man in the New York of the eighties. It's real life. Bottom line it's real life.

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