Paris is burning [DVD video]

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, it 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.

General Note:

Title from container.

Originally released as a motion picture in 1990.

2K digital restoration supervised by director Jennie Livingston.

Special features on disc one: commentary soundtrack from 2005, featuring Jennie Livingston, ball community members Freddie Pendavis and Willi Ninja, and film editor Jonathan Oppenheim ; never-before-seen outtakes. On disc two: 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.

Contents:

disc one. Paris is burning; [Special features] -- disc two. [Special features].

Technical Details:

DVD, NTSC; region 1, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Dolby monaural audio.

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.