Paris Is Burning (1991)
Having a ball… Wish you were here
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.
Key facts
- Released:
- 1991-03-13
- Runtime:
- 78 min
- Genres:
- Documentary
- Director:
- Jennie Livingston
- Top cast:
- Pepper LaBeija, Octavia St. Laurent, Venus Xtravaganza, Dorian Corey, Willi Ninja, Paris Dupree
- Original language:
- EN
- TMDB rating:
- 8.0/10 from 548 votes
- Bynge Score:
- 7.9/10