Paris Is Burning
Synopsis
Where does voguing come from, and what, exactly, is throwing shade? This landmark documentary provides a vibrant snapshot of the 1980s through the eyes of New York City's African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene. Made over seven years, PARIS IS BURNING offers an intimate portrait of rival fashion "houses," from fierce contests for trophies to house mothers offering sustenance in a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty. Featuring legendary voguers, drag queens, and trans women — including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey, and Venus Xtravaganza.
Paris Is Burning (1991) is a 1h 18min documentary feature film by Jennie Livingston. Where does voguing come from, and what, exactly, is throwing shade? This landmark documentary provides a vibrant snap... Selected for Los Angeles Film Awards (2025).
Key facts
Crew
Trailer
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Festival History
- BUFF: Brunswick Underground Film Festival 2025 generic - Retrospective
- Los Angeles Film Awards 2025
- Tribeca Film Festival 2025 generic
- Berlin International Film Festival 1991 generic
- Sundance Film Festival 1991 generic
- Toronto International Film Festival 1990 generic
Releases & classifications
| Television | United Kingdom | April 6, 1990 |
| Theatrical | United States | March 13, 1991 |
| Theatrical | Netherlands | December 13, 1991 |
| Theatrical | Australia | April 10, 1992 |
| Theatrical | United Kingdom | January 5, 2007 |
| Theatrical | Australia | July 3, 2016 |
| Television | France | September 25, 2019 |
| Classification | United Kingdom | 15 |
| Classification | United States | R |
Full credits
| Director | Jennie Livingston |
| Cast | Pepper LaBeija (Self), Octavia St. Laurent (Self), Venus Xtravaganza (Self), Dorian Corey (Self), Willi Ninja (Self), Paris Dupree (Self), Freddie Pendavis (Self), Sol Williams Pendavis (Self), Junior LaBeija (Self), Angie Xtravaganza (Self), Carmen Xtravaganza (Self), Brooke Xtravaganza (Self), Kim Pendavis (Self), Sandy Ninja (Self), Avis Pendavis (Self), Andre Christian (Self), Stevie St. Laurent (Self), Bianca Xtravaganza (Self), Danny Xtravaganza (Self), David Xtravaganza (Self), David Ian Xtravaganza (Self), David the Father Xtravaganza (Self), Eileen Ford (Self (uncredited)), Jose Guitierez (Self (uncredited)), Shari Headley (Self (uncredited)) |
| Producer | Barry Swimar, Jennie Livingston |
| Executive producer | Madison Davis Lacy, Nigel Finch |
| Cinematography | Paul Gibson |
| Editing | Jonathan Oppenheim |
| Sound | Pawel Wdowczak |
Additional data: TMDB.
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
