dir. Jennie Livingston
1990 / USA / 71 min

Twenty years ago, a small documentary film chronicling the sub-culture of the gay, African-American and Hispanic underclass living in NYC caused a critical and cultural sensation-Paris is Burning. Documentary filmmaker Livingston gave viewers an intimate and fascinating backstage pass to their world of decadent balls where various "Houses" of queens compete against one another in a wide range of contests. Where some drag pageants may give out awards for the queen who could best "pass" as a woman in the outside world, the balls in Paris is Burning give out awards for the queens who can best "pass" as upwardly mobile, white middle-class citizens.

Once thought to be a secret society, fiercely underground, it was Madonna who brought this world to their mainstream with her hit song and dance number, Vogue — a trademark of the balls.

A captivating look at a world of the disenfranchised who choose to make a more glamorous life for themselves - Paris is Burning is a scorcher not to be missed.