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Paris Is Burning

Play trailer Poster for Paris Is Burning R 1990 1h 18m Documentary LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
98% Tomatometer 66 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
This documentary focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the flamboyant and often socially shunned performers. Groups from each house compete in elaborate balls that take cues from the world of fashion. Also touching on issues of racism and poverty, the film features interviews with a number of renowned drag queens, including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey.
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Paris Is Burning

Paris Is Burning

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Paris Is Burning dives into '80s transgender subculture, with the understated camera allowing this world to flourish and the people to speak (and dance) for themselves.

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Critics Reviews

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Geoff Brown The Times (UK) 05/19/2020
Half sad, half exuberant. Go to Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune 05/19/2020
3/4
The earnestness of the competition is what holds this film together. Go to Full Review Vincent Canby New York Times 05/19/2020
There is a lot of common sense and natural wit behind the role-playing. Yet there is also a terrible sadness in the testimony. Go to Full Review Ian Thomas Malone ianthomasmalone.com 6d
Paris is Burning is a timeless reminder to have a good time as civilization crumbles all around us. Trans people may never achieve true liberation. That’s no excuse not to have fun along the way. Go to Full Review Chauncey K. Robinson People's World 06/04/2025
A
The ballroom scene may seem niche to the uninitiated, but 'Paris is Burning' makes it clear that it’s ingrained in the fabric of this country’s culture—past and present. Go to Full Review Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm 02/16/2025
3.5/4
... crackles because of its subjects. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Joshua P. @Lemon Jul 7 “Touch this skin, darling, touch this skin honey, touch all of this skin! Okay? You just can't take it! You're just an overgrown orangutan!” - Venus Xtravaganza See more Massoud H @Massoud Jul 2 Especially moving, difficult, and fulfilling to watch this film in June 2025. See more Daniele W. @Daniele Jun 29 It requires a lot of courage to want to make a movie or a documentary about a ball. See more Petros T @PetrosTserpelis 11/02/2024 Quite an interesting depiction of the world of New York balls circa 1987, "Paris Is Burning" features an array of talking heads that bring up significant points. Nevertheless, this ensemble logic keeps it from having a protagonist, a main subject to focus on, follow and delve into. Arguably, the protagonist is actually the scene itself, and by extension, the community as a whole, but even then, its arc regarding its evolution over time is rather hastily done, and therefore lacks effectiveness. See more Melissa Juliette M @JulietteDanger 04/12/2024 A film you simply must see. See more John H @jhritz 10/20/2023 Enlightening and revolutionary. See more Read all reviews
Paris Is Burning

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Jennie Livingston

Director

André Christian

Actor

Freddie Pendavis

Actor

Willi Ninja

Actor

Pepper LaBeija

Actor

Junior Labeija

Actor

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Paris Is Burning

Paris Is Burning (1990) Paris Is Burning (1990) Paris Is Burning (1990) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis This documentary focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the flamboyant and often socially shunned performers. Groups from each house compete in elaborate balls that take cues from the world of fashion. Also touching on issues of racism and poverty, the film features interviews with a number of renowned drag queens, including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey.
Director
Jennie Livingston
Producer
Jennie Livingston, Barry Swimar
Production Co
Miramax Films, Prestige Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Documentary, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 13, 1990, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jun 14, 2019
Release Date (Streaming)
May 5, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$122.8K
Runtime
1h 18m