Paris Is Burning
| Paris Is Burning |
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 "an unexamined life is not worth living" | 2009-10-17 |
| - Reviewed By ma1963 | |
| --Socrates
Paris Is Burning was far better than I expected it to be; I couldn't take my eyes off the screen! This is an excellent portrait of the minority (mostly black and Hispanic) drag queen community as it existed in New York City in the late 1980s. Watching this film you will discover how these people related to each other in all sorts of ways and how they handled their relationships not only amongst themselves but with their families and the straight, white world in general that wasn't exactly too accepting of them then and still has a ways to go toward true acceptance in our times. The footage of the "balls" these gay drag queens hold is fantastic. A ball is easily explained--the minority drag queens gather in a social hall and essentially take turns walking down the middle of the social hall as if they were rich and famous models walking down the runway. They get to be and feel the way they REALLY feel inside; and their peers cheer them on as they walk the walk. They get ratings by judges and prizes are often awarded. Of course, things get more complicated; not everybody is in love with everybody else. We learn how these gay men including the drag queens take each other on with wisecracks about their appearances; and the footage of them voguing shows us great dancing as well as a competition to determine who's the better man. There's also the concept of "houses;" these are the gay male/drag queen equivalent of street gangs. There is a leader of the house (or, group) called the "mother;" and the house has its rules as to how someone can become a member--perhaps, for example, they have to walk down that runway at a ball and snag a prize to become a house member. We also learn what it means to "mop;" and the footage with Dorian Corey reminiscing about the way things used to be when he was younger is fascinating. These men don't have it easy; one of them says that being black, male and gay gives them three strikes against them before life even starts! It's sad but that's the way things went; I would like to think things have improved somewhat with the election of an African-American president but I'm sure the members of this community still experience unfair prejudice. The film has lots of commentary from many members of the gay male and drag queen community who give us a good amount of insight as to how they cope with the social stress they must face and I liked that a great deal. The DVD comes with outtakes; and there's an optional running commentary as well. Paris Is Burning is an outstanding motion picture for anyone who wants to know what really went on in the minority drag queen/gay male community not so long ago. This film is quite well done and it deserves more recognition that it gets. | |
| "Extravaganza!" | 2009-09-02 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3LBN3O6NLEPNQ | |
| This documentary is one that will have a wider appeal that just the gay community. There are so many funny one liners in this film. You will be laughing, learning, and crying, all in a matter of a few minutes.
Drag culture has become very popular, so it is great to see this film explore the phenomenon in the early 1990's. Any film that allows the viewer to explore communities that are outside the "norm" of society are important, and this one is well edited and interesting to watch. | |
| "Longing and Belonging" | 2009-06-22 |
| - Reviewed By poetlinus | |
| Society is a trickster. She tells everyone that you have hope, possibility, and choice; participate in the American dream, all you need to do is work hard, believe, and it will happen. However, while society sets that up as a possibility, there are also barriers and impediments that prevent that from happening. A part of society yet apart from society, people will strive to find their identity, their place, their sense of belonging. Thus sets up the premise of the revolutionary documentary "Paris is Burning". Set in New York City in the 1980's, "Paris is Burning" sets up a fascinating alternative society in which people gather all night long in a "ball", perform and strut their presence in different categories to receive trophies claiming their brilliance. Noveau filmmaker Jennie Livingston met some dancers in Washington Square park "voguing" (pre-Madonna days), and asked to photograph them for a film school project. Soon, she became enveloped into this entirely magical world full of gender redefining people, and was able to examine the role of race, privilege, and the AIDS crisis in society. What impressed me about this film is how much, when people are denied their place in society, they will find their own ways to find their significance and belonging. When granted naturally to a group of people without having done a thing to earn that significance (by virtue of their accepted skin color or wealth), this film could be seen as much too odd or alternative; shocking even. However, people strive for dignity; and when marginalized by media, race rules, societal rules, will find ways to achieve that dignity; hence the balls. It's a marvelous look inside this community, which must have completely trusted this white girl coming into it, to open up and show all of the aspects of this culture. Most of the performers in the movie have since died, a community which was wracked hard by the AIDS crisis. However, their spirit, and their movement lives on in this film, and in the hearts of the people who are able to watch it. | |
 "fermentation is a necessary process in filmaking..." | 2009-04-27 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2GDSM7D8IZIH5 | |
| i've noticed a number of comments about the dated feel and look of "paris is burning". i've watched 'paris' many times before purchasing it finally...not sure why because i think i liked the film from the start. a couple years ago, i listened to the directors commentary track to hear about what was going in some scenes and get insights into some of the people involve. apparently, the film took almost ten years to make due to financing problems...i wouldn't have known. but, i was impressed with the artistry that the men and women featured showed and expressed themselves. also, what is interesting about the commentary track is learning about what has become of some of the people in the film...sadly, most of them had their fame only in the ballroom and only in this film. | |
| "Simply Fabulous" | 2008-12-06 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2ZXQH2P3TAVEI | |
| A great documentary all over. A must have for ones collection. If you haven't seen it yet, hurry. Wish the filmmaker would make it available for "download to own" as well. | |
| "Colors of the Rainbow" | 2008-10-15 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3EBHHCZO6V2A4 | |
| "Paris is Burning" is a fascinating 1990 documentary depicting the fabulous underside of gritty '80s NYC. The Big Apple was still rough around the edges. At the time, Times Square was seamy. In "Paris is Burning",the down-and-out (of the closet) have made a paradise of their own in the clubs. "Paris is Burning" chronicles the lives of African-American and Latino gays, and defines their terms like "shade","reading" and of course,"voguing",the dance style they perfected. Their balls (usually held at the Elks Lodge in Harlem) weren't the usual drag balls. Some impersonate army officers; others impersonate executives. They mimic what they see as "straight white America." There are breakdancers. Some,like Octavia St. Laurent and Venus Xtravaganza, are famous for embodying femininity. An old drag queen, Dorian Corey,reflects on how the "houses" and their "children" have evolved from emulating silver screen icons like Marilyn Monroe to small screen divas like the ladies of Dynasty. Questions of gender identity, family, and sexuality are explored. Venus dreams of a white wedding to the man of his/her dreams. Another brags he'll never have a sex change operation. Pepper LaBeija reminisces,sadly,how his mother burned his mink coat. Two teenaged boys,their arms around each other,are joyful despite the fact their families kicked them out. "Paris is Burning" is bittersweet. There's the pageantry of the balls,an escape from a difficult life. There's a longing for identity and family. Many of the people depicted came to tragic ends. Pepper LaBeija died from the complications of diabetes. Venus Xtravaganza was found strangled in his/her apartment. Choreographer Willi Ninja died from AIDS two years ago. When Dorian Corey died,a skeleton was found-literally-in his closet,a mummy underneath his bed. There is a sense of tragedy. Paris is burning,and it burns brightly. | |
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