The legendary 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning just received “tens, tens, tens” across the board: it’s been added to the National Film Registry, along with 24 other films.
In an interview with Miramax in 2015, director Jennie Livingston explained why she wanted to cast a light on the then-mysterious world of voguing:
The people I met from the ball world 1) were great performers 2) had a lot to say, both about their own lives and about America and the world at large 3) Aside from being beautiful, and raucous, and a repository of great dance moves, the ball world also offered a profound look at an incredible number of issues I cared about.
Like, how we live with and create our gender; how race and racism affect our lives; how class and the access to (or lack of access to) opportunity creates or inhibits our growth; how both gender identity and sexual orientation are fluid, and how homophobia, with all of its horrors, also forces people to create supportive communities and social worlds. It felt like there was so much going on the ball world that touched on everything I thought about and cared about.”
Oh, well this was happening in the ball world:
And this:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
And definitely this (definitely):
THIS!
Congrats to all involved:
Franklin
Who would have thought when this film was made how far it’seems impact would reach? Now it’s a part of history.
AntBee
This is an astounding achievement for this wonderful film! Congratulations!