Paris Is Burning: A Queer Film Classic

by Lucas Hilderbrand

This latest addition to the Queer Film Classics series pays tribute to Paris Is Burning , Jennie Livingston's brilliant and award-winning 1991 documentary that captures the energy, ambition, wit, and struggle of African American and Latino participants in the 1980s New York drag ball scene. This book contextualizes the film within the longer history of drag balls, the practices of documentary, the fervor of the culture wars, and issues of gender, sexuality, race, and class. Lucas Hilderbrand is associate professor of film and media studies and queer studies at the University of California, Irvine.

Genres: Queer, Nonfiction, Read For School, History, Race, Gay, Film

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2013

About the author

Lucas Hilderbrand lives in Los Angeles and teaches film and media, visual, and queer studies at the University of California, Irvine. He has written on the pleasures and politics of video bootlegging, the mediations of queer memory, and the ambiguities of experimental documentary.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was by complete coincidence that I read two books back-to-back that covered a lot of the same ground, but it's gotten me thinking about the early 90's. I predict we'll be seeing a bit of a 90's renaissance shortly. (Note: I do not advocate such a thing.) The first was Hold Tight Gently: Michael Callen, Essex Hemphill, and the Battlefield of AIDS, and you can see my review of it here. Paris is Burning is a decidedly different book than that one, though. Here Hilderbrand dissects the Queer New Wave classic, teasing out tidbits about editing choices and really delving into the social and political reception it received in its time and since.

The film is one of my all-time favorites, so needless to say I was stoked when Arsenal Pulp Press announced this latest addition to their Queer Film Classics series. It was such a treat to "re-watch," as it were, my favorite scenes through a critical lens, and to get an authoritative perspective on why certain editing choices were made. I'll give you an example. The film opens with a shot of Pepper Labeija addressing the interviewer (and by extension the viewer). The film ends with a shot of two young boys similarly addressing the camera. Hilderbrand contextualizes the moment in a much more intelligible way than I could, so I'll let you read the book to find out what exactly it means. Still, I bring it up because this seemingly small choice reflects the depth of this film and points to the layers of meaning that might all too easily be lost on first time viewers because of the film's more outre performances and personalities.

The book is divided into three parts: the first runs through the film itself and why things were presented the way they were (warning, there are spoilers so if you care about that stuff watch the film first. You should probably do that even if you don't care about spoilers.); the second details the release of the film; and the final section tackles the critical and political reception of the film both then and on through today. I was particularly interested in the final section. To me, Paris has always been a celebratory film. Yes, it deals with some heavy things, but I found it to be hopeful. I've also never felt that the film was exploitative. Naturally, there are some very intelligent people that take a different view, so I'm glad Hilderbrand devoted as much space as he did to the controversy. Now that I'm more familiar with the various arguments I can see the validity of them, though my opinion has remained fundamentally unchanged. One really interesting point he made was that how viewers react to film can be largely influenced by the environment in which they watch it and with whom. It's not something I'd thought of, but I think it makes a lot of sense.

Anyway, this is definitely an insider book for people that love/hate the film or those who might be doing some kind of academic research about it. For everybody else, just watch the movie and quote it constantly like the rest of us. Personally, I'll be re-watching Paris is Burning soon, and after encountering them in two books back-to-back I think it's probably time I watch Isaac Julien's "Waiting for Langston" and Marlon Briggs' "Tongues United" as well.

If you liked this, make sure to follow me on Goodreads for more reviews!

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Truth Telling Stars
* * * * * A Sneaky Film Review of Paris is Burning and FX POSE
So last year when the new show POSE came to be, I was all over it. Loved everything about it. Listened to interviews during its launching, etc. It captured a time I remembered and brought it to the masses now with artistry and vision. It was such a huge it, it was renewed after only a months worth of episodes. The second season is due to premiere on June 10, 2019.

Now you may wonder why am I talking about POSE under the book about Paris is Burning...And the reason is Paris is Burning was the REAL DEAL. It takes you to the BALLS of New York City. It explains the concept of Houses/Families. It puts you front and center, does the deep dive into what the goal was and what life was like then. It will open your eyes to a time and place like no other.

Those of us who have been fans of RuPaul way before others caught up will see the evolution and integration of what was shown in this film. It is one thing to appreciate what is now...It is another to take all the sacrifices and hard-won strides made and acknowledge them and hold them with the value they deserve. One needed to be very Brave to POSE. I highly recommend seeing this film.


For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Morgan M. Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilderbrand gives us an overview of the iconic and controversial 1991 documentary Paris is Burning (dir. Jennie Livingston), alongside the cultural and political contexts that catapulted it to fame while simultaneously opening it to decades of passionate critique. The same critiques made of the film - particularly that both are authored by white cis queers and ostensibly directed at non-Ballroom audiences - could be made of the book, and there are some moments where Hilderbrand seems to on occasion miss key components of both the trans and racialized contexts of the film. But ultimately, this incisive, short book is a necessary addition to the canon of scholarship on Paris - bridging the scholarly and popular audiences who have made up its many, varied audiences.

[Pamster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rewatched this recently, first time since seeing it in the theater, and I COULD NOT get over how amazing it was. Reading this prolonged the pleasure, and helped me kind of remember that moment and all the stuff happening then. Love. Now a big color scrapbook, please.

[Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only issue with this book is that the writer they chose to analyze this film is a middle-class white man with no ties to the ballroom community. Especially when the point of the documentary is the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and class. The writer inevitably won’t completely understand the nuances the film encapsulates, especially not having any presence in the ballroom community. This book is very well written otherwise.

[Shant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. Brief but informative enough to talk about documentary/culture vulture ethics. I appreciated the information about the release/reception.

[Brian Kovesci · Rating 5 out of 5]

UC is showing Paris Is Burning in April, so I wanted to brush up on the subject. Now I want to watch it this instant.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit more academic than I expected it critiques the film and the initial hot takes of the film fairly. READ THE FOOTNOTES!!!!

[Fred Daly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't quite tell what this was. At times it felt like a work of scholarship, with all the citations, but at times it was also fairly personal. I wasn't too interested in the film business part of this, and I am never crazy about having to navigate through critical theory buzzwords, but I did appreciate the last section when the author considers some of the broader ethical questions raised by a film like this. I saw it back when it first came out, and I loved it, and now I find myself questioning whether my enthusiasm, while genuine, constituted a kind of voyeurism or even exploitation.

[Sara Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compact yet highly engaging academic film analysis on the documentary Paris is Burning. It touches on the cultural history and reception of the film, among other things. As a fan of the film who had not read any of the 90s film criticism on it, I found it super interesting. I had no idea that the assistant editor was the editor on Streetwise! It was tidbits like these that kept me engrossed throughout.

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book by a clear fan of the film giving additional information about the film's context and reception both immediately and over time. Only criticism would be that I felt he was quick to dismiss the criticisms levied at the film's director by others and it read as overly defensive of her.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great companion to the film. I have never really read any film analysis in my life before so I was a bit nervous about starting, especially for a film with as complex and important legacy as this one, but I greatly appreciate how brief and accessible this one was. Looking forward to exploring more from Hilderbrand.

[Allison OC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-researched review contextualizing the film. Tries to ensure you understand the movie without having seen it, and does pretty well. Slightly dated language of course, but a solid love letter to Paris Is Burning, both respecting it in its own right, warts and all, and positioning it in the canon.

[Petty Lisbon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent summary of the movie and explanation of the social context. It won't be anything new for the intended audience (I'm guessing the book was made for people who aren't new to the scene) but I enjoyed reading about the reception.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a slim volume, but there's a lot of valuable content. What I found most useful was the consideration of bell hooks' criticism of the film -- hooks' ideas are very compelling to me, but Hilderbrand does a nice job of presenting a plausible response to hooks.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this on a deep dive after watching the film. As a work of criticism, it really helps get down into the cultural history behind the documentary. Really valuable for anyone who wants to read more about the history of drag and ball culture.

[Jonathan Pavan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good read, but I think the book would have benefited either making the tail end of it longer or having multiple writers write throughout. Beyond the quotes this would have an added layer of different perspectives.

[Marisa Carpico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very, very good. I was honestly hoping for a bit more textual analysis, but this is excellent for what it is. Definitely provides some really wonderful suggestions for further reading.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

subpar

[Chloe Deschamps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Succinct and interesting academic book on one of my favourite documentaries, Paris is Burning

[Kathleen O'Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a good job of situating the classic documentary "Paris Is Burning" within the context of era as well as defending it against criticisms from thinkers like bell hooks that the film ultimately functions only as a sort of modern day minstrel show. Instead, the book shows, "Paris Is Burning" is ultimately a celebration of the ingenuity, creativity, and strength of queer and trans people of color living in New York City around the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Recommended.

[R.J. Gilmour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilderbrand provides an analysis of the queer film Paris is Burning.