Documentary Hack
Paris Is BurningBy Jennie Livingston

In a Nutshell

In this 1990 documentary, filmmaker Jennie Livingston charts the ball culture of New York City in the mid to late 1980s, shedding light on the Black and Latino LGBTQ+ performers who found solace and freedom through it.

Favorite Quote

Some of them think we're sick, some think we're crazy. And some think we're the most gorgeous and special things on earth.

Venus Xtravaganza, ball performer

Introduction

In late 1980s New York City, African-American and Latino LGBTQ+ individuals were often ostracized and rejected even by their own families.

Having founded their own tight-knit communities, members of the underground LGBTQ+ community organized parties known as ‘balls’ that explored, emulated, and developed aspects of popular culture.

Balls were bright, colorful, and energetic affairs, during which contestants took part in demanding dance and fashion competitions to achieve fame and respect within their communities.

Named after an annual ball thrown by drag performer Paris Dupree, Paris is Burning has become documentary director Jennie Livingston's best-known work.

Although Livingston’s documentary stirred controversy within the ball community during the 1990s, it has now become a queer film classic.

The film continues to inspire younger generations of ball participants and commemorates the lives of several remarkable Americans, most of whom are no longer with us.

Here are the 3 key insights from this Hack

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    Black and Latino LGBTQ+ communities living in New York faced extreme prejudice and poverty
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