Paris Is Burning

Paris is Burning is, without question, a legendary piece of cinema. To speak on excellent documentaries and skip this one shows the many issues with any type of film study class.

"And that lies exactly the strength and extraordinariness of Livingston's work, since there are already too many instances of sorrow, discrimination and horror incurred to these marginalized individuals (gays, queens and transexuals, predominantly African-American and Hispanic), it is core-shattering to find out that one of the interviewers, Venus Xtravaganza is brutally murdered in 1988, aged only 23, two years before the film's release, and obviously Livingston resists a great temptation not to put that pathos-driven message on the screen for sensationalizing or eliciting our rage and outcry, in the last resort, PARIS IS BURNING is the celebration of a subculture and its members, to inspire and encourage.

Idk man I don't really do documentaries. I was fairly bored by this, probably had something to do with the fact that a lot of it was just dancing.

Really good, like a bona fide classic. Heard some sad stuff about the director not actually paying the subjects she filmed or giving them their dues but just taking all the shine for the film herself I hope that's not true, I don't really know how documentary royalties work tbh.

I wasn't sure what to expect when seeing it. There's been so much build up after watching Drag Race and Pose.

Documentary starts in 1986 in NYC where black and hispanic drag queens hold "balls". That's where they dress up however they like, strut their stuff in front of an audience and are voted on.

While many unfortunately passed on, the ballroom scene is still very much alive and carrying on their legacy. Some are still very much alive and quite well, Octavia is more radiant and beautiful than ever, Willi Ninja is very accomplished and gives a great deal of support to the gay community as a whole, Pepper Labeija just passed on last year of natural cause, may she rest in peace.

I have no interest in the subject matter, but found the documentary entertaining, nonetheless. Found myself wondering what happened to all of the people who were in it.

Yeah this films is tops. Cant recommend it more.