Paris Is Burning Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Paris Is Burning Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 19, 2020

We currently live in a “RuPaul’s Drag Race” world, where the pageant and attitude of drag cultural is zapped into living rooms everywhere, giving fans a weekly sampling of unparalleled glamour and often wickedly funny humor. In 1987, such showmanship was regulated to the underground, with “Paris Is Burning” presenting a peek into the ways of the Ball circuit in New York City, where those who dream of fame and fortune are gifted an all- day competition to “live the fantasy” and show off their inner wonderfulness. Director Jennie Livingston has the challenge to collect and assemble an understanding of what appears to be a widespread community of aspiring “realness,” compacting such a dense world into 77 minutes of entertainment and information. There’s immediacy to “Paris Is Burning,” which doesn’t offer documentary hospital corners, with Livingston presenting more of an in- the-moment picture with distinct LGBTQ personalities who live, love, hope, and dare to present themselves in the showiest manner possible.

Livingston doesn’t follow formula, eschewing a history lesson to simply plunge into the Ball realm, taking in the collision of style and flamboyance as she tries to keep up with the manic presentation of models. Quite literally too, with the camera dashing around the ballroom, tracking layers of activity, with the competitors strutting their way around the main floor, while spectators are everywhere, creating tremendous energy as celebrations and condemnations are unleashed. It’s quite the sight, and “Paris Is Burning” provides some understanding of the display, where black and Latinx participants dress in elaborate outfits of extreme style, hoping to become “legendary.” There are categories, including “luscious body,” “town and country,” “high fashion eveningwear,” and my personal favorite: “executive realness,” which finds the challengers dressing like Yuppie elite, bringing flair to the drudgery of suits and ties. Of course, “realness” is the key here, as authenticity of performance and influence is the goal, adding pressure to the contest, with one young man disqualified from the game due to the feminine qualities of his fur coat (a judgement that doesn’t go over well with the crowd). Yes, it’s that cutthroat.

“Paris Is Burning” introduces viewers to multiple contestants, understanding their personal lives and loyalty to their “houses,” which offer the players their own group for maximum support. There’s Pepper Labeija, Dorian Corey, Freddie and Kim Pendavis, Venus Xtravaganza, Octavia Saint Laurent, and Willi Ninja, who was Livingston’s original connection to the Ball circuit, and the director is happy to show off his considerable dance talents. He’s extremely impressive. Saint Laurent shares her dream to be a supermodel, working on beauty and poise while hungering for the spotlight, even making a move to mingle with other women hoping to become the next industry star. Xtravaganza also has aspirations for a better life, and she’s willing to discuss her personal experiences with escorting to support herself, trying to see beyond the dangers of the life (including violence and the fear of AIDS) as she envisions a greater future for herself. All the interviewees have monetary fixations, endeavoring to pull themselves out of poverty, leaving troubled lives behind, while Corey and Labeija are the old guard, assuming elder statesmen roles in the community, even becoming parental figures to young gay boys (aka “children”) who’ve been kicked out of their homes.

“Paris Is Burning” details the meaning of “reading” and “shade,” with the art of the insult important to the pastime, used as a defense mechanism against outsiders trying to destroy the show through narrowmindedness. Livingston also delves into the Ball’s rebellion and satiric approach to white culture, and the necessary care for the competitors, who turn to Roy Rogers restaurants to steal food. Perhaps the most important discovery in “Paris Is Burning” is the fascination with voguing, with the dance deployed as way of personal expression and an act of war, highlighted here in its natural state, before Madonna used it to propel a pop music smash hit.

Paris Is Burning Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation is a "2K digital restoration, supervised by director Jennie Livingston." Dealing with 16mm source materials, the viewing experience reaches as far as it can go, delivering a vivid look at the appealingly grainy cinematography for "Paris is Burning," which retains ideal film-like texture. Detail emerges with tours of ornate costuming and cluttered apartment spaces, and facial surfaces are open for study, capturing the nuances of makeup and the unforgiving presence of stubble. Colors are precise, offering bright primaries with celebratory decoration and ballroom visits, while street life is just as captivating, with signage and NYC lights adding appealing reds and yellows. Period clothing and Ball costumes come alive with sharp whites, golds, and blues. Skintones are natural. Delineation preserves frame information. Source is in excellent shape.

Paris Is Burning Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 LPCM mix preserves the life of "Paris is Burning." There isn't much in the way of scope, but the essentials are crisp, giving interview footage with a variety of different personalities satisfying power, also securing various room tones as the conversations are captured on streets, ballrooms, and inside tiny apartments. Soundtrack selections are nicely balanced with the Ball action, offering sharp instrumentation. Atmospherics are clear, securing a feel for outdoor movement and interior bedlam during contestant showdowns.

Paris Is Burning Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (38 pages) includes essays by Michelle Parkerson and Essex Hemphill, and provides notes on the Blu-ray transfer.

• Commentary features director Jennie Livingston, editor Jonathan Oppenheim, and stars Willi Ninja and Freddie Pendavis.

• Conversation (29:59, HD) is a 2019 sit-down with Livingston, Freddie Pendavis, Sol Williams Pendavis, and filmmaker Thomas Allen Harris.

• Outtakes (111:48, HD) include "Pepper and the Crew," "Family, Conformity, The Button," "Venus at Home," "Dorian, Historian," "Gunfight at the OK Corral," "Friendly Enemies," "Dorian's Wisdom," "Legendary Friends," "More About the Houses," "Sol Pendavis," "Marcle Christian/Idle Sheets," "ABC's of Drag Ball-ism," "Photo Shoot at Carnegie Studios," "Carmen and Octavia in Times Square," "Religion," "Gay Fun Interrupted," "Willi Ninja in Washington Square Park," "Let's Play Lawyer," "Ball Outtakes," and "The Extravas Host a Ball in D.C."

• Jenni Olson (10:39, HD) is a chat with the "experimental filmmaker" about the impact of "Paris is Burning."

• Gisele Xtravaganza (9:22, HD) is an appreciation piece with the current "Ball walker."

• "The Joan Rivers Show" (43:56, SD) is a 1991 episode of the syndicated talk show, with the host interviewing Livingston, Dorian Corey, Pepper Labeija, Willi Ninja, and Freddie Pendavis about the working parts of "Paris is Burning" and Ball culture.

• A Fundraising Trailer (5:37, SD) and a Theatrical Rerelease Trailer (1:39, HD) are included.

Paris Is Burning Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's such a rich feel for time and place in "Paris Is Burning," with Livingston hitting the streets, exploring urban activity and examining the ballrooms, capturing high energy all around. She's there for triumphs and unexpected vocations (Ninja is soon put to use training aspiring models how to move), and she returns in 1989 for a brief follow-up on a few of these lives, revealing that for one memorable participant, dreams of a better life would never be realized. There's sadness to "Paris Is Burning," but that's not Livingston's vision for the documentary. She hopes to celebrate the culture and respect its realities, giving viewers a look at a previously unseen world (which inspired the FX show, "Pose") brimming with delightful personalities willing to, for a few moments, share their passions, concerns, and amazing flair with the camera.