Amari-Sali
Paris is Burning is, without question, a legendary piece of cinema. To speak on excellent documentaries and skip this one shows the many issues with any type of film study class. I say this since, often, films featuring people of color are looked over and not mentioned when it comes to said classes. You'd sooner hear the name Quentin Tarantino before Spike Lee, and I'm sure you would find someone note any of Michael Moore's productions before Paris is Burning. What are the reasons? I can't say, but I must share with you a review of this film.Like most documentaries, there are people featured in the film and others play supporting roles. For Paris is Burning the focus are on the "Mothers" of the houses and a select few of their children. Each mother has a different personality which you find yourself drawn to in one way or the other. Pepper Labeija of the House of LaBeija could be considered a more refined version of the queer people usually exploited on TV. Of course though, as noted in the overview, Pepper isn't some two bit comedy act made to entertain you by going "YASSSSSS," "FIERCE," "Werk" and etc. For while Pepper is certainly a character there, as with the rest of the mothers, is a person behind all the makeup, fancy clothes and humor. Alongside Pepper there is: Dorian Corey, who isn't a mother but a prominent figure in the movie; Angie Xtravaganza; Willi Ninja and Octavia St. Laurent. All of these figures present an almost black comedy to the film, in the sense that they do find reasons to laugh despite what they've gone through. Together, these are the people who introduce us to Ball culture and some facets to queer culture.Now, unlike many documentaries, there isn't so much an overall beginning and end when it comes to the film. It more so features one house at a time while focusing on different segments of a ball. Then, scattered throughout, are different subjects in either Ball culture or queer culture. For Ball culture, Dorian Corey speaks on how things have changed from the Balls being about people dressing as Showgirls to the then style which featured people trying to look like the famous models, or actresses, of the time. Also, there are examples and definitions given for such things as reading, shade and what all these houses are about essentially. All together, the documentary doesn't necessarily overwhelm you with information, but gives you just enough of a taste to quench your thirst.But, like most good documentaries, you are left feeling like you know more on your way out then you knew on your way in. What helps this learning process is that every single person makes for an intriguing personality which, again, doesn't feel two dimensional. Most shows featuring queer characters, outside of a Shonda Rhimes productions, and maybe Lafayette and Tara on True Blood, seem to embody Ms. J from America's Top Model. When they step into a scene, focus is on them for you expect something eccentric or funny to pop up, which happens with Lafayette on True Blood, but there are moments when things do get serious. Now, I realize I speak as if Paris is Burning isn't older than myself, but considering how few examples there are of queer culture in media, it was nice to see as many drag queens and feminine men as you would masculine men, trans-gendered and other underrepresented people of the queer community. And we don't just get their silliness and lessons, but a bit of their sadness, dreams and a touch of their fears as well. It makes it so that the documentary feels natural and almost makes you wish this was a series rather than simply a movie.And this leads me to the negatives of the film which solely deal with structure. I felt that it should have had a tighter focus and perhaps the usual linear means of telling a story. I say this because we bounce from the balls, veer off onto a topic and then are back to the balls again. Also, I felt like there should have occasionally been a reminder of who someone was and which house they were part of for you are introduced to so many people that only getting their name once makes it so your memory has to be good. But really, there are only minor issues. I just would have liked if perhaps they focused on each house, their mothers and children, as they prepped for a ball, rather than sort of weaving in and out from the mothers talking, what was happening at a ball, seeing some of the children speak and then talking about bits of queer and trans-gendered culture. I think it would have made it a little bit more coherent, despite the fact the film seems like it could have been filmed over a week perhaps.Overall: RentalI recommend this for the sake of curiosity and/or education. For, despite its dated VHS look, I think there aren't any real issues which should stop you from watching this. I'll admit, it does leave you wanting more in terms of learning more about the mothers, houses and children more than seeing them dress up and vogue. But, overall I think this is a decent film to seek out if you have some curiosity and I'd consider it one of the few documentaries I may watch more than once, if just because of the personalities.
airleder
In a film in which the subjects are referred to as having "3 strikes against them" from a socioeconomic, racial, and sexual preference perspective, we as viewers are taken deep into the tight knit community that is New York Ballroom culture. This group of individuals is completely marginalized and essentially shunned by the white patriarchal structure of our society. One of the key aspects and benefits of being a part of a culture of this nature for these individuals is the sense of community that exists as a result. For a group of men who had no one to turn to in their day to day lives, their involvement in the ballroom scene was crucial to their survival as human beings. They were given a place to express themselves and feel comfortable in their own skin (or the skin of others). The way in which the concept of "drag" is explained in the film is not simply a definition consisting of describing gay men who dress in women's clothes. In Paris is Burning, drag is a way to take on a new identity; to disconnect oneself from reality. Chosen costumes and ensembles range from Marilyn Monroe to Marine drill sergeants and anything and everything else imaginable. The transparency with which Jennie Livingston made this film with in terms of her ability to be that ever so crucial fly on the wall, truly gave the subjects their own voice that flowed naturally throughout the film. The hand-held shooting style employed by Livingston made for a genuinely warm and poignant piece. Similar to Shirley Clarke's film Portrait of Jason, the camera and the subjects have very intimate relationships. In both films, ample time is spent focusing on hand motions and body language. By following the model of 90's queer documentary, Livingston contributed to paving the way for other free form documentaries to exist within the culture. Paris is Burning is an ethnological piece that effectively explores a subculture within itself. Ethnographically speaking, Livingston dissects and debunks this marginalized group of individuals "strike" by "strike" throughout the course of the film. We as viewers are able to understand and absorb the fact that these men are people and this is their passion. For people who are unfamiliar with this culture, listening to these men tell their stories and express the importance of the new york ballroom scene in their daily lives, it is quite easy to understand. Paris is Burning paved the way for documentaries focused on marginalized groups of people. In terms of the internet, the majority of the documentaries i come across that are web based (but function in a similar way as Paris is Burning does in terms of purpose and aesthetic) are centered around marginalized groups. Ethnographies are an excellent way to gain an understanding of something or someone that you would not have access to otherwise. Being able to post personal reviews centered around internet based material, leads to the overall further discussion and progression of society and personal relationships with difficult subjects such as race, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation.
corey_davis
Fifteen years later and Paris Is Burning is still aflame. This is a classic in black gay films, right up there with the other honorary black gay films, The Color Purple and Mahoganoy. This seminal work captures underground and underclass (i.e."underserved) black and Latin gay culture and community like no other work before or since, including all the sentimental Harlem Rennaissance gay retrospectives and renderings. They're good, but this is the best (dare I say the only "real") film you'll find on the subject. It's Relentlessy Cunty (the classic house music invention)comes to Hollywood, non-stop, hilarious camp (like only we do it) and dead-on social critique. All this by a white female director (who obviously must have been a Sister Gurl or Mizz Thing in a former life.) I could go on, but I think you get the point by now: I love this movie!
