- A Movie a Day
- Posts
- 🖤 Issue No. 9: Paris Is Burning
🖤 Issue No. 9: Paris Is Burning
Paris Is Burning, TikTok's new movie discovery feature, and other industry news.
Movie recommendations + film industry news, delivered daily to your inbox.
Dear friends,
Today, I'd like to shine a light on a documentary that offers a poignant and evocative look into a vibrant subculture of 1980s New York City — Jennie Livingston's "Paris Is Burning."
FILM RECOMMENDATION
Paris Is Burning (1990)
Rated 8.2 on IMDb
Directed by: Jennie Livingston
Synopsis: A chronicle of New York's drag scene in the 1980s, focusing on balls, voguing and the ambitions and dreams of those who gave the era its warmth and vitality.
Genre: Documentary
Country of Origin / Language(s): United States, United Kingdom; English
Our Take: In "Paris Is Burning," director Jennie Livingston crafts a seminal documentary that delves into the vibrant, yet often overlooked, ballroom culture of 1980s New York City. The film's visual storytelling is both evocative and poignant, capturing the raw energy and resilience of its subjects—predominantly African-American and Latino LGBTQ+ individuals. Through its intimate and unflinching portrayal of the drag ball scene, "Paris Is Burning" becomes a vital document of its time, offering not just a glimpse into a unique subculture but also a powerful commentary on identity, community, and survival. In its 78-minute runtime, the film manages to be both historically significant and emotionally impactful, ensuring its place as an unforgettable piece of cinema.
VISUAL INSPIRATION
Our Favorite Frames
  |   |
The screen grabs and film excerpts in this newsletter are used for educational purposes under fair use. All rights belong to their respective owners. Contact us with any concerns.
CURATED NEWS
What We’re Reading
TECHCRUNCH: TikTok Partners with Warner Bros. to Become a Discovery Engine for TV and Movies
The new feature will enhance user engagement by allowing them to discover movies and TV shows through shared clips, leveraging TikTok's existing role as a platform for media discovery.
SCREEN DAILY: ‘Queer’ Named New York Film Festival Spotlight Gala Screening
Luca Guadagnino's film, based on William S. Burroughs's novel, will be featured as the gala screening on October 6, showcasing a romantic journey steeped in the struggles of addiction and identity within the gay expatriate community.
DEADLINE: Warner Bros. Discovery Shares Plunge To New Low After Earnings, Write-Down
The company's stock price has reached an all-time low of $6.73 following disappointing quarterly earnings and a substantial write-down in its networks division, highlighting ongoing financial struggles.
DEADLINE: TikTok Launches Spotlight Tool to Enhance Studio Engagement with Fans
The new TikTok Spotlight tool aims to streamline how studios engage with audiences by providing a dedicated landing page for films and shows, showcasing user-generated content and analytics to track engagement, ensuring that studios can capitalize on fan interactions.
VARIETY: ‘Look Into My Eyes’ Trailer: A24-Produced Doc Explores the Strange World of New York Psychics
The documentary directed by Lana Wilson offers a unique glimpse into the lives of New York City psychics, blending humor and introspection while examining the significance of artistic expression in human connection.
SCREEN DAILY: Sundance Winner 'Sujo' Joins San Sebastian's Horizontes Latinos Lineup
The acclaimed Sundance film 'Sujo,' along with several other notable Latin American features, will be showcased in the Horizontes Latinos section at the San Sebastian Film Festival, highlighting diverse storytelling from the region.
Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed this issue! If you’ve been forwarded this newsletter, we publish 7x a week. Subscribe to get the latest in your inbox first afternoon of Eastern Time!