Paris Is Burning

Paris Is Burning

71 mins | Documentary | March 13, 1991

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.

Paris Is Burning

71 mins | Documentary | March 13, 1991

Paris Is Burning
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.
IMDb rating 8.2
Producers Miramax, BBC, Prestige Films, New York State Council on the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, New York Foundation for the Arts, The Jerome Foundation, Art Matters Inc., Edelman Family Fund, Off White Productions Inc., The Paul Robeson Fund, WNYC-TV
Original title Paris Is Burning
Directors Jennie Livingston
Writers

Cast

Pepper LaBeija

as Self

Dorian Corey

as Self

Willi Ninja

as Self

Paris Dupree

as Self

Junior LaBeija

as Self

Kim Pendavis

as Self

Sandy Ninja

as Self

Avis Pendavis

as Self

Andre Christian

as Self