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 City₂s African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene. Made over seven years, it offers an intimate portrait of rival fashion ₁houses,₂ from fierce contests for trophies to house mothers offering sustenance in a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty.

General Note:

Title and credits from screen.

Originally released as a motion picture in 1990.

2K digital restoration supervised by director Jennie Livingston.

Special features: commentary soundtrack from 2005, featuring Jennie Livingston, ball community members Freddie Pendavis and Willi Ninja, and film editor Jonathan Oppenheim ; never-before-seen outtakes ; new conversation between Jennie Livingston, ball community members Sol Pendavis and Freddie Pendavis, and filmmaker Thomas Allen Harris ; episodes of The Joan River show from 1991, featuring Livingston and ball community members Dorian Corey, Pepper LaBeija, Freddie Pendavis, and Ninja; Giselle Xtravaganza, a Latinx trans woman talks about the significance of Paris is burning; trailers; in booklet, an essay by filmmaker Michelle Parkerson and a 1991 review by poet Essex Hemphill.

Performers:

Featuring Dorian Corey, Pepper Labeija, Venus Xtravaganza, Octavia Saint Laurent, Willi Ninja, Kim Pendavis, Freddie Pendavis, Andre Christian, Paris Dupree.

Technical Details:

Blu-ray; region A; 4:3 full screen presentation (1.33:1 aspect ratio); LPCM 1.0 audio; requires Blu-ray player.

Accessibility Note:

Subtitled in English for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH).

Subject Term:

Drag balls -- New York (State) -- New York.

Drag queens -- New York (State) -- New York -- Social life and customs.

African American gay men -- New York (State) -- New York -- Social life and customs.

Hispanic American gay men -- New York (State) -- New York -- Social life and customs.

Transgender women -- New York (State) -- New York -- Social life and customs.

Gay culture -- New York (State) -- New York.

Voguing (Dance) -- New York (State) -- New York.