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Paris Is Burning

Play trailer Poster for Paris Is Burning R 1990 1h 18m Documentary LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
99% Tomatometer 120 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
This documentary focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the flamboyant and often socially shunned performers. Groups from each house compete in elaborate balls that take cues from the world of fashion. Also touching on issues of racism and poverty, the film features interviews with a number of renowned drag queens, including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey.
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Paris Is Burning

Paris Is Burning

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Critics Consensus

Paris Is Burning dives into '80s transgender subculture, with the understated camera allowing this world to flourish and the people to speak (and dance) for themselves.

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Critics Reviews

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Catherine Dunphy Toronto Star Jul 31
It is that we understand we are voyeurs, ultimately of ourselves, as reflected by the mirror the voguers are holding up to us. Go to Full Review Lynden Barber Sydney Morning Herald Jul 31
For pure entertainment value, the film is hard to beat; for the time when most of the footage was shot, this was a genuine underground scene, bursting with creative energy. Go to Full Review Joe Pollack St. Louis Post-Dispatch Jul 31
The applause is something, and the trophy is something, and for a little while they are what they want to be and not what the outside world considers them to be. Go to Full Review Michael Walsh The Province (Vancouver) Jul 31
A keenly observant and sympathetic filmmaker chooses to present her findings with straightforward honesty and a minimum of social analysis. Go to Full Review Randall King Winnipeg Sun Jul 31
The film transcends the issue of sexual orientation because it reflects any part of society with dreams of wealth and glamour and fame—just about all of us, in fact. Go to Full Review Bob Ross Tampa Tribune Jul 31
3.5/5
Reveals the the complex cultural mix of fantasy and family that surrounds the gala events. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Joshua P. @Lemon 07/07/2025 “Touch this skin, darling, touch this skin honey, touch all of this skin! Okay? You just can't take it! You're just an overgrown orangutan!” - Venus Xtravaganza See more Massoud H @Massoud 07/02/2025 Especially moving, difficult, and fulfilling to watch this film in June 2025. See more Daniele W. @Daniele 06/29/2025 It requires a lot of courage to want to make a movie or a documentary about a ball. See more Petros T @PetrosTserpelis 11/02/2024 Quite an interesting depiction of the world of New York balls circa 1987, "Paris Is Burning" features an array of talking heads that bring up significant points. Nevertheless, this ensemble logic keeps it from having a protagonist, a main subject to focus on, follow and delve into. Arguably, the protagonist is actually the scene itself, and by extension, the community as a whole, but even then, its arc regarding its evolution over time is rather hastily done, and therefore lacks effectiveness. See more Melissa Juliette M @JulietteDanger 04/12/2024 A film you simply must see. See more John H @jhritz 10/20/2023 Enlightening and revolutionary. See more Read all reviews
Paris Is Burning

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Jennie Livingston

Director

André Christian

Actor

Freddie Pendavis

Actor

Willi Ninja

Actor

Pepper LaBeija

Actor

Junior Labeija

Actor

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Paris Is Burning

Paris Is Burning (1990) Paris Is Burning (1990) Paris Is Burning (1990) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis This documentary focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the flamboyant and often socially shunned performers. Groups from each house compete in elaborate balls that take cues from the world of fashion. Also touching on issues of racism and poverty, the film features interviews with a number of renowned drag queens, including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey.
Director
Jennie Livingston
Producer
Jennie Livingston, Barry Swimar
Production Co
Miramax Films, Prestige Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Documentary, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 13, 1990, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jun 14, 2019
Release Date (Streaming)
May 5, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$122.8K
Runtime
1h 18m
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