REVIEW: ‘Paris Is Burning’
Photo: Paris Is Burning is Jennie Livingston’s 1991 documentary about the rival fashion “houses” of the 1980s. Photo courtesy of Film Forum / Provided with permission.
Paris Is Burning, Jennie Livingston’s powerful documentary, is almost 30 years old and currently running at New York City’s Film Forum in a new restoration. The film gives an insider’s view of the African-American and Latinx drag ball scene in the late 1980s, and it’s a riveting experience.
The 78-minute movie is a revealing portrait of the LGBTQ+ community as they triumph down the runway at extravagant fashion “balls,” but it also sheds light on the struggles of being gay or transgender at a time of heightened discrimination and violence. The revival is perfectly timed with the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and World Pride Month.
The narrative is broken up by chapter headings that showcase different vocabulary words that are especially important to the drag performers of the time. Everything from “houses” to “realness” to “legendary” are explored and explained, making the documentary a vital testimony and celebration of this cultural scene.
Hovering in the background of these taped interviews is the HIV/AIDS crisis, which devastated New York City’s gay community, and the looks, insults and acts of violence that come with the scene. First-person testimonials dive deep into issues of family rejection, gender identity, sexuality, professional aspirations, motherhood, fatherhood and dating.
However, it should be noted, Paris Is Burning is as much centered on the positivity of the “ball” scene as it is on the negativity of the outside world. Livingston’s lens focuses on the vibrancy of the times, especially on the dancing (including the early days of “voguing”) and independence of the culture, which is also the subject of the hit FX series Pose. A wonderful soundtrack, including an expertly placed Cheryl Lynn’s “Got to Be Real,” provides appropriate accompaniment.
There are so many fascinating aspects of the documentary. The audience is drawn into the story of performers who are yearning to be professional models, the choreographic intensity of Willi Ninja, the explanation of motherhood and fatherhood by Pepper LaBeija, and the tragedy that struck Venus Xtravaganza.
Livingston’s film spends most of its time documenting the actual balls, which are elaborate affairs featuring humorous narration, dancing, strutting down the runway and an adulating audience. The performers prepare themselves by working on the best choreography, the best costumes, the best makeup and the best stage presences, and the results are glamorous, vibrant and wholly original.
Paris Is Burning is vital viewing. It serves as a true document of a scene and time period, highlighting the realities of the African-American and Latinx LGBTQ+ community in the 1980s, never passing judgment and always finding interesting stories to tell.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Paris Is Burning. 1991. Directed by Jennie Livingston. Running time: 78 minutes. Featuring Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey and Venus Xtravaganza. Click here for more information. Rating: 
