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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
    Really well made. Interesting. Sad, too.
    I will confess that I had no idea what I was walking into when I saw it. At the time, I was between jobs and seeing every movie I could. It was either that-or look for a job!

    Remember seeing the title and thinking it was about WW2, Hitler, etc. Of course, once the movie started, I was surprised.

    It was a very cool movie. I don't think it matters if you're straight, gay, or somewhere in between. It opened my eyes to a whole new sub-culture I never knew existed. What I saw was a group of men very passionate about something in their lives. Fascinating to watch them transform their appearance.

    Sad to see how their families didn't accept them or when there was a death of one of the principals. I remember they showed one of the actors truly depressed b/c his family (maybe his father) tossed all of the clothes he had collected. Outside of the monetary value, he really had pride in all that he had amassed over the years.

    I left thinking I wouldn't want to try it, but I thought it would be very fun to attend one of these balls.
    helpful•24
    5
    • joeochoaesq
    • Nov 17, 2004

    Top picks

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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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    By what name was Paris Is Burning (1990) officially released in India in English?
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