– Lauren Morris, Entertainment and Factual writer How to watch Featuring drag queens like Pepper LaBeija, Angie Xtravaganza and Paris Dupree – who held the annual Paris Is Burning ball – the documentary sheds light on the elaborate competitions and important issues, from AIDS and racism to homophobia and poverty.Ī seminal documentary responsible for shows like Netflix’s Pose and HBO Max’s Legendary, Paris Is Burning is a celebration of a subculture that still faces persecution despite entering the mainstream – and a necessary watch for those who love Drag Race but know little about the history of voguing.
If you’re a fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race, then you’ll be familiar with 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning – however, it is so much more than just the inspiration for the show’s ‘reading’ challenge.ĭirected by Jennie Livingston, Paris Is Burning explores New York City’s house-ballroom scene in the late ‘80s, helmed by the African-American, Latino and LGBTQ+ communities in the Big Apple.
