Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Livingston, Jennie

Description

1. 2 film reels (78 min.) : sd., col.; 16 mm.

Summary

1. Livingston's film on the drag balls of Harlem provides a window into a complex American subculture composed of Black and Latino gay men. The balls are not merely runway parades but fashion competitions undertaken by various "houses" ("gay street gangs") headed by a "legendary" mother who has won numerous trophies and acquired status in the world of the gay ball performance. Competing in various categories - schoolboy/schoolgirl, executive, military, town and country - the participants aim for "realness," that is, becoming indistinguishable from their counterparts in the straight world. By replicating those "types" which help define the dominant culture, the models deconstruct and subvert those who have ostracized and persecuted them. Another integral component of the ball is "voguing," an acrobatic dance form which appropriates the modeling poses in Vogue magazine and through which rival house members engage each other in overtly confrontational contests. Livingston's study co-mingles ball scenes and interviews with the subculture's "children" and veteran "mothers" who discuss the balls' joyful flamboyance as well as their more painful underpinnings. (Does not circulate).

Subject

1. Feature films
2. Homosexuality
3. Cross-dressing
4. African Americans -- New York (State) -- New York
5. New York (N.Y.) -- Social life and customs
6. Harlem (New York, N.Y.) -- Social life and customs

Call number

1. M16 4344 P

Credits (note)

1. Producer, director, Jennie Livingston; editor, Jonathan Oppenheim; cinematography, Paul Gibson.

Title

1. Paris is burning [motion picture] / produced by Jennie Livingston with Barry Swimar.

Imprint

1. Chicago : Films Incorporated, 1991.

Credits

1. Producer, director, Jennie Livingston; editor, Jonathan Oppenheim; cinematography, Paul Gibson.

Performer

1. Participants: Carmen and Brooke, Andre Christian, Dorian Corey, Paris Dupree, Pepper Labeija, Junior Labeija, Willie Ninja, Sandy Ninja, Kim Pendavis, Sol Pendavis, Avis Pendavis, Octavia Saint Laurent, Stevie Saint Laurent, Angie Xtravaganza, Bianca Xtravaganza, Danny Xtravaganza, David Xtravaganza, David Ian Xtravaganza, Venus Xtravaganza.

Connect to:

1. Request Access to Reserve Film and Video Collection Special Collections material

Added author

1. Livingston, Jennie.

Research call number

1. M16 4344 P