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From the manufacturer
The essential, enduring, culture-defining portrait of the vibrant 1980s Harlem drag-ball scene
Now on Blu-ray
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, Paris Is Burning brings it, celebrating the joy of movement, the force of eloquence, and the draw of community.
Director-Approved Special Edition Features
- New 2K digital restoration, supervised by director Jennie Livingston
- New conversation between Livingston, ball community members, and filmmaker Thomas Allen Harris
- Over an hour of never-before-seen outtakes
- Audio commentary from 2005
- Episode of The Joan Rivers Show from 1991
- And more!
Beautifully Restored With Legendary Extras...Buying This Is Fundamental
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2020
This is a very important documentary about the New York City African-American and Latino gay/trans drag-ball scene of the 1980s. Jennie Livingston captures a period of time that was the "Golden Age" of the balls. You can see how influential this film was on the drag community, and this is evident in "RuPaul's Drag Race." RuPaul uses expressions as an homage to this film: "Throwing Shade" "Reading Is Fundamental", "Legendary", "Banjee" and the "Kiki" voice of Venus Xtravaganza. Ball/House culture was pretty much underground until Ms Livingston brought it to the forefront. Voguing was appropriated (read: stolen...throwing shade here) and popularized by Madonna, resulting in that dance form being part of popular culture. In the film, you see authentic voguing, masterfully done by amazing dancers. Willi Ninja was considered the "Godfather of Voguing", and it's unfortunate that people still think Madonna invented the dance form.Sadly, most of the people Ms Livingston interviewed are now gone, which makes this film even more valuable.Dorian Corey, Pepper LaBeija, Venus Xtravaganza, Octavia St. Laurent, Willi Ninja, Angie Xtravaganza have all passed; Junior Lebeija and Freddie Pendavis are still around, from what I've read, and also Jennie Livingston.The picture quality is so crisp and clear; the 2K restoration is well done. There are loads of extras and additional footage. With this issue by Criterion, you get a more complete picture of "Paris Is Burning" and its players. There's commentary by Ms Livingston, interviews, and even an episode of "The Joan Rivers Show" where Joan interviews all the stars from "Paris Is Burning." I saw clips of Joan's show on YouTube, but this DVD includes the entire uncut show with a good picture quality, considering the show was from 1992.This is such a landmark film that it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".Just a CAVEAT: my DVDs came in a clear, shiny-finished DVD clamshell case that was manufactured by Scanavo. I highly recommend you switch out the case to one with a matte finish. I have found that DVD cases with a shiny plastic finish causes your DVDs to cloud up; the gas emitted by the plastic cases reacts with the DVD surface. Scanavo brand cases are infamous for clouding up DVDs; in addition, the hubs tend to be very stiff, making it difficult to remove your DVDs without cracking them.
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2020
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2020
Sadly, most of the people Ms Livingston interviewed are now gone, which makes this film even more valuable.
Dorian Corey, Pepper LaBeija, Venus Xtravaganza, Octavia St. Laurent, Willi Ninja, Angie Xtravaganza have all passed; Junior Lebeija and Freddie Pendavis are still around, from what I've read, and also Jennie Livingston.
The picture quality is so crisp and clear; the 2K restoration is well done. There are loads of extras and additional footage. With this issue by Criterion, you get a more complete picture of "Paris Is Burning" and its players. There's commentary by Ms Livingston, interviews, and even an episode of "The Joan Rivers Show" where Joan interviews all the stars from "Paris Is Burning." I saw clips of Joan's show on YouTube, but this DVD includes the entire uncut show with a good picture quality, considering the show was from 1992.
This is such a landmark film that it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Just a CAVEAT: my DVDs came in a clear, shiny-finished DVD clamshell case that was manufactured by Scanavo. I highly recommend you switch out the case to one with a matte finish. I have found that DVD cases with a shiny plastic finish causes your DVDs to cloud up; the gas emitted by the plastic cases reacts with the DVD surface. Scanavo brand cases are infamous for clouding up DVDs; in addition, the hubs tend to be very stiff, making it difficult to remove your DVDs without cracking them.
Beautifully Restored With Legendary Extras...Buying This Is Fundamental
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2020
This is a very important documentary about the New York City African-American and Latino gay/trans drag-ball scene of the 1980s. Jennie Livingston captures a period of time that was the "Golden Age" of the balls. You can see how influential this film was on the drag community, and this is evident in "RuPaul's Drag Race." RuPaul uses expressions as an homage to this film: "Throwing Shade" "Reading Is Fundamental", "Legendary", "Banjee" and the "Kiki" voice of Venus Xtravaganza. Ball/House culture was pretty much underground until Ms Livingston brought it to the forefront. Voguing was appropriated (read: stolen...throwing shade here) and popularized by Madonna, resulting in that dance form being part of popular culture. In the film, you see authentic voguing, masterfully done by amazing dancers. Willi Ninja was considered the "Godfather of Voguing", and it's unfortunate that people still think Madonna invented the dance form.Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2020
Sadly, most of the people Ms Livingston interviewed are now gone, which makes this film even more valuable.
Dorian Corey, Pepper LaBeija, Venus Xtravaganza, Octavia St. Laurent, Willi Ninja, Angie Xtravaganza have all passed; Junior Lebeija and Freddie Pendavis are still around, from what I've read, and also Jennie Livingston.
The picture quality is so crisp and clear; the 2K restoration is well done. There are loads of extras and additional footage. With this issue by Criterion, you get a more complete picture of "Paris Is Burning" and its players. There's commentary by Ms Livingston, interviews, and even an episode of "The Joan Rivers Show" where Joan interviews all the stars from "Paris Is Burning." I saw clips of Joan's show on YouTube, but this DVD includes the entire uncut show with a good picture quality, considering the show was from 1992.
This is such a landmark film that it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Just a CAVEAT: my DVDs came in a clear, shiny-finished DVD clamshell case that was manufactured by Scanavo. I highly recommend you switch out the case to one with a matte finish. I have found that DVD cases with a shiny plastic finish causes your DVDs to cloud up; the gas emitted by the plastic cases reacts with the DVD surface. Scanavo brand cases are infamous for clouding up DVDs; in addition, the hubs tend to be very stiff, making it difficult to remove your DVDs without cracking them.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2022
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2022
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2020
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2020
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2020
Top reviews from other countries
George Clark-Dunning
Out history recorded for eternety
Reviewed in Canada on August 18, 2021
Nice_Lieutenant
Paris is Burning Criterion Dvd
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 6, 2020
