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
From metacritic.com
Anna Kendrick—star of the new HBO Max series, "Love Life"—knew she had to embrace all the cringeworthy honesty of her character's romantic struggles.
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16 wins & 1 nomination.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
 |
Brooke Xtravaganza | ... | (as Carmen and Brooke) |
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André Christian | ||
| Dorian Corey | |||
| Paris Duprée | |||
| Pepper LaBeija | ... | Self | |
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Junior Labeija | ||
| Willi Ninja | |||
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Sandy Ninja | ||
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Kim Pendavis | ||
| Freddie Pendavis | |||
| Sol Pendavis | |||
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Avis Pendavis | ||
| Octavia St. Laurent | ... | (as Octavia Saint Laurent) | |
|
|
Stevie Saint Laurent | ||
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Anji Xtravaganza | ... | (as Angie Xtravaganza) |
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Storyline
This is a documentary of 'drag nights' among New York's underclass. Queens are interviewed and observed preparing for and competing in many 'balls'. The people, the clothes, and the whole environment are outlandish. Written by Robbie Smith <robsmith@u.washington.edu>
Plot Keywords:
national film registry | new queer cinema | ball | ambition | drag ball |Taglines:
Having a ball...wish you were hereGenres:
DocumentaryParents Guide:
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Written by Slick Rick (as R. Walters) and Doug E. Fresh (as D. Davis)
Performed by Doug E. Fresh
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Did You Know?
Trivia
A young Pepper LaBeija can be seen very briefly as a contestant in the 1968 documentary The Queen, about a drag beauty pageant held in New York City. The legendary Crystal LaBeija, original mother and founder of the House of LaBeija, is also featured giving a fierce and shady reading. See more »Quotes
Pepper LaBeija: This is white America. Any other nationality that is not of the white set, knows this and accepts this till the day they die. That is everybody's dream and ambition as a minority - to live and look as well as a white person. It is pictured as being in America. Every media you have; from TV to magazines, to movies, to films... I mean, the biggest thing that minority watches is what? "Dynasty" and "The Colbys". Umm, "All My Children" - the soap operas. Everybody has a million-dollar bracket. When...See more »
Soundtracks
The ShowWritten by Slick Rick (as R. Walters) and Doug E. Fresh (as D. Davis)
Performed by Doug E. Fresh
See more »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
August 1991 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Children Are See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$500,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$310,127, 11 August 1991Gross USA:
$3,905,297Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$3,905,297Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
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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. After Anji's passing Carmen became the mother of the house of Xtravaganza (she was in the beach scene) and she is looking more and more lovely as well. Some balls have categories dedicated to those who have passed, may they all rest in peace. There is currently another project underway known as "How Do I Look?", you can check out the website at www.howdoilooknyc.org.