Paris Is Burning . Metro Pulse . 10-12-98

Paris Is Burning

DIRECTED BY: Jennie Livingston

REVIEWED: 10-12-98

Jennie Livingston's Paris Is Burning (1991, R) was the documentary that broke the closed circle of the New York City drag circuit and brought all of its color and drama (if you'll pardon the expression) out of the closet. Paris focuses on the transvestite balls, their many permutations and participants, and Livingston captures some pretty raw moments before her subjects slip back behind their beautiful facades. She won the Sundance Award for Best Documentary and had the dubious distinction of having Madonna rip off all of the drag contestants' vogue moves.

--Adrienne Martini

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Now and Then: From Frosh to Seniors

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