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Catalog/Documentary/Paris Is Burning
Paris Is Burning poster
S
Masterwork
MASTER SCORE 90.0 / 100
1990·Documentary·1h 18m

PARIS IS BURNING

“Having a ball… Wish you were here”

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.

Above the Line
Jennie Livingston·DirectorPaul Gibson·Director of PhotographyJonathan Oppenheim·Editor
Cast
Pepper LaBeija·SelfOctavia St. Laurent·SelfVenus Xtravaganza·SelfDorian Corey·SelfWilli Ninja·SelfParis Dupree·SelfFreddie Pendavis·SelfSol Williams Pendavis·SelfJunior LaBeija·SelfAngie Xtravaganza·Self
Full Crew
(5 credits)
Directing· 1
Jennie Livingston·Director
Camera· 1
Paul Gibson·Director of Photography
Editing· 1
Jonathan Oppenheim·Editor
Production· 2
Barry Swimar·ProducerJennie Livingston·Producer
By the Numbers
90.0
OF 100
Master Score
8.2
OF 10
IMDb
98%
CRITICS
Rotten Tomatoes
$4M
ROI 68106%
Worldwide Gross
0
Oscar Wins
Where to Watch

THE AVAILABILITY MAP

The canonical record of where this film lives across the streaming map.

Provider Index In Progress

Streaming, rental, and purchase availability for this title is being ingested from the TMDB watch-providers feed and will appear here once the next catalog refresh runs. Until then, the canonical source links below remain the fastest route.

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Poster DNA

THE VISUAL DECONSTRUCTION

A bespoke vision agent's reading of the design language behind Paris Is Burning's key art.

Dominant Palette
3 colors
#D9D9D9
#8C8C8C
#404040
Mood
Expressive, Poised, Cultural
Composition
Centered
Era
1980s 1990s
Visual Style
Photographic

“A black and white photograph of a person in drag, with light-colored, voluminous hair styled upwards, wearing a large, layered outfit with a prominent light-col”

documentaryculture
Key Elements
Large Layered OutfitEarringsNecklaceHandbagTablesTrophies (blurred)
Atmosphere
Muted
Color Mood
Neutral
Setting
Indoor
Design Score
7/10
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THE NEIGHBORHOOD

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THREE WAYS DEEPER

Auteur
AUT
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GEN
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