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IMDbPro

Paris Is Burning

  • 19901990
  • RR
  • 1h 11m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
15K
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
3 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.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
15K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jennie Livingston
  • Stars
    • Brooke Xtravaganza
    • André Christian
    • Dorian Corey
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jennie Livingston
  • Stars
    • Brooke Xtravaganza
    • André Christian
    • Dorian Corey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 48User reviews
    • 31Critic reviews
    • 82Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 17 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:40
    Official Trailer
    Janelle Monáe, Laverne Cox, and More Share Their Must-Watch Picks for Pride
    Clip 3:40
    Janelle Monáe, Laverne Cox, and More Share Their Must-Watch Picks for Pride
    What to Stream for Black History Month
    Full Episode 3:47
    What to Stream for Black History Month

    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
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.
    • 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 At the Movies: 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 reviews48

    Review
    Top review
    R.I.P Willie Ninja
    I had just recently watched "Paris Is Burning" and I love it. I find it very interesting and artistic and creative the way they move and dance. It's like a whole different world. My friend received it as a gift and after watching it I am going to hunt a copy down for my own collection. The next day I found out from a friend that Willie Ninja had just passed away a couple of days before. At first I didn't want to believe him. So I went searching for anything that would confirm what he had said, he was right. Even though I didn't know him personally, there's no doubt in my mind that he will be missed, and I would consider it an honor to have been a friend of his. To anyone who knew him I am sorry.

    R.I.P WILLIE NINJA - Angel Ray from San Bernardino, Ca
    helpful•9
    0
    • surreal316
    • Sep 8, 2006

    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
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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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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    Answer
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