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Paris Is Burning

Paris Is Burning

Having a ball… Wish you were here

19918.01h 18m

Overview

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.

Directed by Jennie Livingston
Produced by Barry Swimar, Jennie Livingston
Box OfficeBudget: $500KRevenue: $3.8M

Top Cast

Pepper LaBeija

Pepper LaBeija

Self

Octavia St. Laurent

Octavia St. Laurent

Self

Venus Xtravaganza

Venus Xtravaganza

Self

Dorian Corey

Dorian Corey

Self

Willi Ninja

Willi Ninja

Self

Paris Dupree

Paris Dupree

Self

Freddie Pendavis

Freddie Pendavis

Self

S

Sol Williams Pendavis

Self

Junior LaBeija

Junior LaBeija

Self

Angie Xtravaganza

Angie Xtravaganza

Self

Themes & Keywords

new york citytransvestismaidshomophobiadrag queenmale homosexualitytranssexualsubcultureshopliftinglgbtdragwoman directorharlem, new york cityblack lgbt1980svoguingball culture

About Paris Is Burning

Paris Is Burning is a documentary film released in 1991 exploring themes of new york city, transvestism, aids, homophobia, drag queen, male homosexuality. Directed by Jennie Livingston, it stars Pepper LaBeija, Octavia St. Laurent, Venus Xtravaganza. 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.

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