Drag culture and Ball culture
Common themes of the films in the canon were drag culture and ballroom culture and their intersections. The films below explore these themes in depth.
To find these resources through your local library, please use the invaluable Worldcat.org and search by Title or Director or use the search box below!
Kiki. Dir. Sara Jordeño, 2016. 96 minutes
This deeply affecting spiritual sequel to the classic Paris is Burning closely examines Ball and Drag culture almost 30 years later, specifically focusing on a number of mostly Black and Latinx queer and trans performers trying to learn, survive and thrive in sometimes very harsh realities. Though Kiki is clearly channeling and building on its predecessor, its artistic ambition and intense interest in painting deeply human portraits of its subject are simply remarkable. Kiki also zooms out beyond just the ballroom scene and focuses on several issues including the continued devastation of homophobia, transphobia, and HIV/AIDS despite years of ostensible progress, as well as the complex reasons people choose to transition and, fascinatingly, what life after retiring from drag looks like. This is a must-see.
Mala Mala. Dir. Dan Sickles and Antonio Santini, 2014. 88 minutes
This energetic and highly stylized documentary examines the unique experiences of trans people living in Puerto Rico. Against the backdrop of the historic fight to pass Law 238-2014, which banned employment discrimination in Puerto Rico based on sexual orientation and gender identity, we follow the experiences of a dozen trans Puerto Ricans as they navigate activism, making a living, transphobia, and the difficult business of finding their true communities. This vigorously infectious documentary shines a light on people and a unique American experience that is widely overlooked.
Paris is Burning. Dir. Jennie Livingston, 1990. 78 minutes
There isn’t much more to write about this barnstorming, iconic, groundbreaking, barrier-destroying, seminal documentary about drag and ball culture in New York in the 1980s. Still routinely shown 30 years later, this documentary shed light on an innovative and endlessly creative group of performers and their culture that the world still cannot get enough of. More than perhaps any other film on this list, Paris is Burning is absolutely essential viewing for QTPOC and, one might argue, the world. With equal parts humor, suspense, and tragedy, this film still stands as a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking. It simply must be seen.
Saturday Church. Dir. Damon Cardasis, 2018. 83 minutes
This disarming coming-of-age story follows the tumultuous story of the aptly-named Ulysses, a queer Black teenager, bullied by his classmates and by his strict, religious aunt who comes to live with him after the death of his father. During this traumatic time, he finds refuge in a group of gay, trans, and drag queen friends, who initiate him into the world of the ballroom circuit. This film’s fusion of music and narrative storytelling results in some of the most heartwarming and exhilarating shots in recent queer cinema.
South Beach on Heels. Dir. Dmitry Zhitov, 2014. 80 minutes
This warm and empathetic documentary focuses on the lives, trials and tribulations of professional drag queens, mostly of color, working in the South Beach area of Florida. Some of the featured queens, such as luminous and enchanting Latrice Royale, have achieved much exposure and mainstream success, and some still work tirelessly at their craft with a much lower profile and no guarantee of fame or even a steady paycheck. Deeply personal and heartfelt moments and insights into the lives of these drag performers set this documentary apart from the rest in this increasingly popular subgenre of drag documentaries.
Voguing: The Message. Dir. Dorothy Low, 1989. 13 minutes
This fast-paced introduction to the origins and culture of voguing and ball culture has perhaps been overshadowed a bit by Paris is Burning, which was released around the same time, but is nonetheless and excellent companion piece. As a primer, it very quickly orients the viewer to the terminology and the basic infrastructure of the NYC ball scene. In addition to this whirlwind introduction to the culture and how it adds value and meaning to the lives of its participants, we also get to see virtuoso performers like the legendary Willi Ninja practice their craft. This is an excellent addition to the canon, especially for those in a hurry.