HBO MaxParis Is Burning (1991)
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Progressive
Viewer Rating
Rating: 8.5
Overview
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.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
HBO Max
Apple TVBias Dimensions
Political: Strong Left
Diversity: High
LGBTQ: Positive
Christianity: Negative
Overview
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.
Starring Cast
Where to watch
HBO MaxApple TVDetailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Progressive
Primary
The film's central thesis explicitly promotes progressive ideology by documenting and celebrating a marginalized community's response to systemic discrimination based on race, class, gender identity, and sexuality, highlighting their resilience and cultural innovation.
This documentary provides an explicit and central focus on the lives and experiences of Black and Latino gay and transgender individuals within New York City's ball culture. The film's narrative inherently critiques traditional societal norms by highlighting the challenges and discrimination faced by its marginalized subjects.
Secondary
Paris Is Burning offers an intimate, affirming portrayal of Black and Latino gay men and trans women in 1980s New York City ball culture. It highlights their resilience, chosen families, and self-expression amidst societal challenges, presenting characters with dignity and complexity. The film's empathetic lens validates their lives and cultural contributions.
The film powerfully illustrates the pain and marginalization experienced by its subjects, often stemming from family rejection rooted in religiously-informed homophobia. The narrative frames this rejection as a source of profound suffering, implicitly critiquing the exclusionary aspects of the faith as they impact the LGBTQ+ community.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
As a documentary, "Paris Is Burning" features real individuals and their authentic gender identities and expressions. It does not adapt pre-existing characters or historical figures by changing their established gender for on-screen portrayal.
As a documentary, "Paris Is Burning" features real individuals portraying themselves. The concept of a character established as one race being portrayed by an actor of a different race does not apply to this film's format.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
8.5
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
User Ratings
8.2
8.0
Critic Ratings
9.8
8.2
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