Documentary

Paris Is Burning

- 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.

Release Date : 1991-03-13

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Off White Productions

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Pepper LaBeija

Gender : Female

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Octavia St. Laurent

Gender : Female

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Venus Xtravaganza

Gender : Female

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Dorian Corey

Gender : Female

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Willi Ninja

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Paris Dupree

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Freddie Pendavis

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Sol Williams Pendavis

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Junior LaBeija

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Angie Xtravaganza

Gender : Female

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Carmen Xtravaganza

Gender : Female

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Brooke Xtravaganza

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Kim Pendavis

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Sandy Ninja

Gender : Female

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Avis Pendavis

Gender : Female

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Andre Christian

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Stevie St. Laurent

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Bianca Xtravaganza

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Danny Xtravaganza

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self

Original Name : David Xtravaganza

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self

Original Name : David Ian Xtravaganza

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self

Original Name : David the Father Xtravaganza

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self (archive footage)

Original Name : Fran Lebowitz

Gender : Female

Reviews

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2025-05-08

Set over a seven year period, this follows not just the evolution of a group of 1980s New York African-American and Latino drag artists, but it also shines quite a light on changing societal attitudes as these lively, strong and characterful folk try to assert their own identity amidst a city not always accepting or willing. It’s all about balls - literally and metaphorically, and showcases a community determined not to be ground down by using their exuberant fashions, dancing, extroversion, competitive spirit and overwhelming sense of community to provide each other with strength and inspiration. They are all from a working class background, but again are bent on using their wits to start businesses, to travel the world, to achieve stardom and to prove their worth to themselves and their frequently hostile and/or bamboozled neighbours. As you’d expect, there’s a lively soundtrack that epitomises the spunkiness of these people, there’s a flamboyance and there is also a vulnerability - rather tragically illustrated towards the end that shows us that being different, proud and “out” is not necessarily the same as being safe and respected. The contributors are passionate, erudite and engaging and though the timeframe offers us a degree of hope that lasting change is coming, slowly - it also reminds us that that change is neither consistent nor guaranteed. At times a little repetitive, maybe one too many catwalks, but it’s still a fascinating insight into an urban sub-culture set upon flourishing.