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IMDbPro

Paris Is Burning

  • 1990
  • R
  • 1h 11m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
16K
YOUR RATING
Dorian Corey, Junior LaBeija, Pepper LaBeija, Octavia St. Laurent, and Anji Xtravaganza in Paris Is Burning (1990)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer1:40
2 Videos
43 Photos
Documentary

A chronicle of New York's drag scene in the 1980s, focusing on balls, voguing and the ambitions and dreams of those who gave the era its warmth and vitality.A chronicle of New York's drag scene in the 1980s, focusing on balls, voguing and the ambitions and dreams of those who gave the era its warmth and vitality.A chronicle of New York's drag scene in the 1980s, focusing on balls, voguing and the ambitions and dreams of those who gave the era its warmth and vitality.

  • Director
    • Jennie Livingston
  • Stars
    • Brooke Xtravaganza
    • André Christian
    • Dorian Corey
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    16K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jennie Livingston
    • Stars
      • Brooke Xtravaganza
      • André Christian
      • Dorian Corey
    • 50User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
    • 82Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 17 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:40
    Watch Official Trailer
    Janelle Monáe, Laverne Cox, and More Share Their Must-Watch Picks for Pride
    Clip 3:40
    Watch Janelle Monáe, Laverne Cox, and More Share Their Must-Watch Picks for Pride

    Photos43

    Dorian Corey in Paris Is Burning (1990)
    Octavia St. Laurent in Paris Is Burning (1990)
    Pepper LaBeija in Paris Is Burning (1990)
    Dorian Corey, Junior LaBeija, Pepper LaBeija, Willi Ninja, Freddie Pendavis, Octavia St. Laurent, and Anji Xtravaganza in Paris Is Burning (1990)
    Dorian Corey, Junior LaBeija, Pepper LaBeija, Willi Ninja, Freddie Pendavis, Octavia St. Laurent, and Anji Xtravaganza in Paris Is Burning (1990)
    Octavia St. Laurent in Paris Is Burning (1990)
    Dorian Corey, Junior LaBeija, Pepper LaBeija, Willi Ninja, Freddie Pendavis, Octavia St. Laurent, and Anji Xtravaganza in Paris Is Burning (1990)
    Willi Ninja in Paris Is Burning (1990)
    Pepper LaBeija in Paris Is Burning (1990)
    Pepper LaBeija in Paris Is Burning (1990)
    Venus Xtravaganza in Paris Is Burning (1990)
    Paris Is Burning (1990)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Brooke Xtravaganza
    • Self
    • (as Carmen and Brooke)
    André Christian
    • Self
    • (as Andre Christian)
    Dorian Corey
    Dorian Corey
    • Self
    Paris Duprée
    Paris Duprée
    • Self
    • (as Paris Dupree)
    Pepper LaBeija
    Pepper LaBeija
    • Self
    Junior LaBeija
    • Self
    Willi Ninja
    Willi Ninja
    • Self
    Sandy Ninja
    • Self
    Kim Pendavis
    • Self
    Freddie Pendavis
    Freddie Pendavis
    • Self
    Sol Pendavis
    Sol Pendavis
    • Self
    Avis Pendavis
    • Self
    Octavia St. Laurent
    Octavia St. Laurent
    • Self
    • (as Octavia Saint Laurent)
    Stevie Saint Laurent
    • Self
    Anji Xtravaganza
    • Self
    • (as Angie Xtravaganza)
    Bianca Xtravaganza
    • Self
    Danny Xtravaganza
    • Self
    David Xtravaganza
    • Self
    • Director
      • Jennie Livingston
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Considered to be the first example of the now-common expression "throwing shade."
    • Quotes

      Dorian Corey: I always had hopes of being a big star. But as you get older, you aim a little lower. Everybody wants to make an impression, some mark upon the world. Then you think, you've made a mark on the world if you just get through it, and a few people remember your name. Then you've left a mark. You don't have to bend the whole world. I think it's better to just enjoy it. Pay your dues, and just enjoy it. If you shoot an arrow and it goes real high, hooray for you.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Doc Hollywood/Return to the Blue Lagoon/Hot Shots!/Paris Is Burning/Another You (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Is It All Over My Face!
      Performed by Loose Joints

    User reviews50

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    Absolutely riveting
    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. We get to know many of the members and see how they all hold together and support each other. As one man says to another--"You have three strikes against you--you're black, gay and a drag queen". These are people who (sadly) are not accepted in society--only at the balls. There they can be whoever and whatever they want and be accepted. Then the film cuts to three years later (1989) and you see how things have changed (tragically for some).

    Sounds depressing but it's not. Most of the people interviewed are actually very funny and get a lot of humor out of their situations. They're well aware of their position in society and accept it with humor--just as they should. We find out they all live in "houses" run by various "mothers" and all help each other out. The sense of community in this film is fascinating.

    When this film came out in 1990 it was controversial--and a big hit. It won Best Documentary Awards at numerous festivals--but was never even nominated for an Academy Award. Their reason was "Black and hispanic drag queens are not Academy material". Fascinating isn't it? Homophobia and racism all together.

    Seen today it's still a great film--and a period piece. It just isn't like that anymore--the NY they show no longer exists. The balls are still held but not in the spirit we see here. Also drag has become more "accepted" in society (for better or worse). And I've heard the houses are gone too. That's kind of sad. I WOULD like to know where these characters are now--I know two died of AIDS but I have no idea about the others. And what DID happen to that 13 year old and 15 year old shown?

    Still, it a one of a kind documentary--fascinating, funny and riveting. A must see all the way! A definite 10. Where's the DVD???
    helpful•43
    5
    • preppy-3
    • Nov 22, 2004

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 1991 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Children Are
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Art Matters Inc.
      • BBC Television
      • Edelman Family Fund
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,905,297
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $310,127
      • Aug 11, 1991
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,905,297
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 11 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Related news

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    Dorian Corey, Junior LaBeija, Pepper LaBeija, Octavia St. Laurent, and Anji Xtravaganza in Paris Is Burning (1990)
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