Paris is burning achieved the status of controversy when it came out as a documentary that offered a white view of the black and Latino drag world. It is important to understand that Jenny Livingston, the director of the film, is a white lesbian whose sexuality and race had a bearing on the way the film was made and presented.
The film documents the lives and dreams of drag performers in balls that are organized to assess the height of realness in drag experience as presented by the performers. The performers are judged on the realness of their performance. They need to walk and act like fashion models would do on runways and represent their Houses. These houses offer a sense of belonging to gay and transgender community of New York City.
Starring people called Venus Xtravaganza, Willie Ninja and Octavia along with others, Paris is Burning is a commentary on subtle amalgamation of race, gender and class that tends to affect everyone in the houses in some way. This marginalized section of the society is presented mostly through the lens of a white lesbian woman who has been accused of presenting some "female" characters in a way that would satisfy her lesbian fantasies. (Hooks,)
Even though most of the film comes through in the form of interviews...
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now