# Paris Is Burning (1991)

> An exuberant yet clear-eyed portrait of New York ballroom culture, where marginalized queer people create family, status, and selfhood through performance.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/19499

## Facts

- Runtime: 78 min
- Genres: Documentary, History
- Director: Jennie Livingston
- Cast: Pepper LaBeija, Octavia St. Laurent, Venus Xtravaganza, Dorian Corey, Willi Ninja, Paris Dupree, Freddie Pendavis, Sol Williams Pendavis
- TMDB rating: 8.0/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100332/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: layered
- Violence: none
- Mood: exuberant, witty, intimate, pride month, documentary night

## Synopsis

A vibrant exploration of New York's underground scene where dreams are forged in the face of adversity.

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- [BPM (Beats per Minute) (2017)](https://ember.film/movie/307087)
- [We Want the Funk! (2025)](https://ember.film/movie/7408890)
- [The Wolfpack (2015)](https://ember.film/movie/190362)
- [Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991)](https://ember.film/movie/5286)

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