Paris Is Burning

The leading lights of New York City’s ballroom scene are captured in all their irreverent, impassioned beauty in this classic documentary exploring the families built by a subculture. Celebrity obsession, found family and poverty are tackled with wit and defiance in this snapshot of a once-fringe subculture. With no knowledge of how their legacy would spread, the architects of the 1980s ballroom scene throw open their doors to the audience. The reference for every RuPaul one-liner and inspiration to countless drag performers now welcomed into the mainstream, the stars of these ballrooms are legendary for good reason. Contains scenes of transphobic violence and homophobia. The screening of Paris Is Burning on Wednesday 23 September will be introduced by Tahliah Simumba, artist and BFI Inclusion Partner.