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.
Directed byJennie Livingston
- Status
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 18m
- Language
- EN
- Released
- March 13, 1991
- Budget
- $500,000
- Revenue
- $3,906,006
Watch the
Trailers & teasers
Featuring
Cast & crew
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
- Directed by
- Jennie Livingston
- Produced by
- Jennie LivingstonBarry Swimar
Keep watching
More like this
1.0Fraimpark
2018 · Film
Richard Wright: Native Son, Author and Activist
2009 · Film
6.0The American Nurse
2014 · Film
1.0No Goodbyes
2021 · Film
6.2Beyond Right & Wrong: Stories of Justice and Forgiveness
2012 · Film
6.0Junior
2008 · Film
Isabel Allende: A Thousand and One Voices
2008 · Film
6.5Charlie Wilson's War
2007 · Film
5.3Hollywood Rated 'R'
1997 · Film
6.1The Canterbury Tales
1972 · Film
5.6The Domino Effect
2014 · Film
7.2Dominguinhos
2014 · Film
Women At Large: Breakout
1987 · Film
Michael Ballhaus - Eine Reise durch mein Leben
2008 · Film
9.5Ballerina Boys
2021 · Film
The Get By: Making It on the Streets of NYC
2010 · Film
5.9I'm a Porn Star
2013 · Film
6.1Kumu Hina
2014 · Film
3.9I'm Not the Girl Who Misses Much
1986 · Film
3.8Me Thao: The Legendary Age
2002 · Film
Picked for you
Recommended movies
7.5The Last Repair Shop
2024 · Film
6.4American Teen
2008 · Film
7.6The Corporation
2003 · Film
7.2Daft Punk Unchained
2015 · Film
6.8Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi's Return
2022 · Film
7.0Marvel's Behind the Mask
2021 · Film
6.5Heart of a Dog
2015 · Film
6.8Bettie Page Reveals All
2013 · Film
6.9Nas: Time Is Illmatic
2014 · Film
7.9John Candy: I Like Me
2025 · Film
7.3Weiner
2016 · Film
7.4Diego Maradona
2019 · Film
6.7Cameraperson
2016 · Film
6.99/11: Inside the President's War Room
2021 · Film
6.2Seduced and Abandoned
2013 · Film
7.0My Generation
2017 · Film
6.4Salinger
2013 · Film
6.9Sidney
2022 · Film
7.2Deliver Us from Evil
2006 · Film
8.0Making Squid Game: The Challenge
2023 · Film