DOK.fest goes schwere reiter + DANCE Festival
in cooperation with pathos theater München and Tanztendenz München e.V.
With Jennie Livingston’s PARIS IS BURNING, the International DANCE Festival Munich brings a legendary documentary to the big screen – one that has profoundly shaped queer culture and pop history. In the 1990s, the film inspired queer individuals to engage with issues of gender, sexuality, and race. For example, American philosopher Judith Butler used the film as a starting point for a theory that placed gender and identity at the centre of critical thought. And not least, PARIS IS BURNING, alongside Madonna’s Vogue, was one of the two pop culture phenomena that first brought international recognition to the voguing ballroom scene.
In the community talk after the film, Missy Bodega and other guests will talk about the local ballroom scene: What are the challenges in southern Germany, what role does ballroom play in the emancipation of queer BiPoCs? How has the European scene developed and where should it go? And how does the scene here differ from what we see in the film?
Guests: Missy Bodega and other members from Ballroom South Germany
Moderation: Jan Geiger
Tickets: 9,00 euros (box office from 18.00pm onwards at schwere reiter)
This event can be booked and attended with the KulturPass.
PARIS IS BURNING
USA 1990 – Director: Jennie Livingston – Original language: English – Subtitles: English – Length: 78 min.
Filmed in the second half of the 1980s, PARIS IS BURNING captures the extravagant catwalk, dance, and fashion competitions (Balls) in Harlem, New York, while also offering glimpses into the everyday lives of ballroom members. Additionally, the documentary gives a platform to some of the scene’s most well-known figures, who speak about the rules and structures of the Balls, life in chosen families (Houses), and their personal hopes, dreams, and daily struggles. Beyond its celebration of the ballroom scene, the film powerfully conveys the dangers and violence faced by queer people of colour in New York at the time.
Biography
Jennie Livingston is a groundbreaking filmmaker, known for lively storytelling, nuanced character portraits, and thoughtful explorations of identity, class, race, death, sex, and gender.
Filmography
THROUGH THE ICE, 2006, Kurzfilm
WHO'S THE TOP?, 2005, Kurzfilm
HOTHEADS 1993, Kurzfilm
German title: PARIS BRENNT. Camera: Paul Gibson. Editing: Jonathan Oppenheim. Production: Academy Entertainment, Off White Productions. Producer: Jennie Livingston.
