Paris Is Burning

Paris Is Burning

Having a ball… Wish you were here

1991 en 78 minutes

Rating: 8

Plot

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.

Trailer

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

Sol Williams Pendavis

Sol Williams Pendavis

Self

Junior LaBeija

Junior LaBeija

Self

Angie Xtravaganza

Angie Xtravaganza

Self

Carmen Xtravaganza

Carmen Xtravaganza

Self

Brooke Xtravaganza

Brooke Xtravaganza

Self

Kim Pendavis

Kim Pendavis

Self

Sandy Ninja

Sandy Ninja

Self

Avis Pendavis

Avis Pendavis

Self

Andre Christian

Andre Christian

Self

Stevie St. Laurent

Stevie St. Laurent

Self

Bianca Xtravaganza

Bianca Xtravaganza

Self

Danny Xtravaganza

Danny Xtravaganza

Self

David Xtravaganza

David Xtravaganza

Self

David Ian Xtravaganza

David Ian Xtravaganza

Self

David the Father Xtravaganza

David the Father Xtravaganza

Self

Eileen Ford

Eileen Ford

Self (uncredited)

Jose Guitierez

Jose Guitierez

Self (uncredited)

Shari Headley

Shari Headley

Self (uncredited)

Geoffrey Holder

Geoffrey Holder

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Fran Lebowitz

Fran Lebowitz

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Gwen Verdon

Gwen Verdon

Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

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