Tonight at a glance
- Runtime
- 78 min
- Age rating
- R
- Language
- English
- Country
- United States
Why tonight?
- Under two hours — there is still an evening on the other side of it.
- Reviewed better than most films in the catalogue.
The story
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.
- new york city
- transvestism
- aids
- homophobia
- drag queen
- male homosexuality
- transsexual
- subculture
- shoplifting
- lgbt
The look
A few frames, chosen rather than collected.
The bill
- Willi Ninja — Self
- Paris Dupree — Self
- Freddie Pendavis — Self
- Sol Williams Pendavis — Self
- Junior LaBeija — Self
- Angie Xtravaganza — Self
- Carmen Xtravaganza — Self
- Brooke Xtravaganza — Self
- Kim Pendavis — Self
- Sandy Ninja — Self
- Avis Pendavis — Self
- Directed
- Jennie Livingston
Production
- Rating
- 8.0 / 10 · 565 ratings
- Studio
- Off White Productions
If this stayed with you
Then these are the nearest things Cue holds — chosen for what they share with it, not for what happens to be popular.
