Paris Is Burning

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.

• new york city
• transvestism
• aids
• homophobia
• drag queen
• male homosexuality
• transsexual
• subculture
• shoplifting
• lgbt
• drag
• woman director
• harlem, new york city
• black lgbt
• 1980s
• voguing
• ball culture