Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Paris Is Burning is one of those rare documentaries that's both culturally essential and genuinely entertaining. It introduced the world to voguing, ballroom culture, and the phrase "reading is fundamental," and it did so with warmth, humor, and unflinching honesty.

But let's be clear: this is not family viewing. The content is mature—sexual themes, profanity, discussions of sex work, the AIDS crisis, and violence. It's rated 17+ for good reason. That said, for older teens and adults, it's absolutely worth watching. The subjects are magnetic, articulate, and deeply human. You'll laugh, you'll probably cry, and you'll come away understanding a subculture that mainstream society largely ignored.

The 1990 production values feel a bit rough by today's standards, but the content remains powerful and relevant. If you're looking to educate yourself or your older teen about LGBTQ+ history, particularly the experiences of Black and Latinx queer and trans people in the 1980s, this is required viewing. Just make sure the kids are out of the room.

Age Fit

This is adult viewing, 17+. The mature content isn't gratuitous, but it's definitely there—sexual themes, frank discussions of survival, and emotionally heavy material. Perfect for older teens and adults who want to understand a crucial piece of LGBTQ+ and cultural history.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

Celebrates community, resilience, and authenticity within NYC's 1980s ballroom culture. Models courage and self-expression in the face of marginalization. However, includes mature themes around survival, poverty, and discrimination that require context. Not chaotic or mean-spirited—just unflinchingly honest about hard lives.

Imaginative

88

Groundbreaking documentary that introduced voguing and ballroom culture to mainstream audiences. The creative expression, performance, and world-building within the balls is extraordinary—participants construct entire personas, families, and fantasy lives. Influential enough to shape Madonna, RuPaul, and decades of pop culture.

Safe

38

Contains moderate sexual content and nudity, moderate profanity, discussions of sex work, AIDS crisis references, and frank conversations about survival on the streets. Common Sense Media rates it 17+. The content isn't gratuitous but it's definitely adult—this isn't something that should surprise a kid scrolling streaming services. Some heartbreaking moments including discussion of violence against trans women.

Enriching

91

Essential viewing for understanding LGBTQ+ history, ballroom culture, race, class, and 1980s NYC. Builds profound empathy through intimate portraits of marginalized people pursuing dreams against impossible odds. The subjects are articulate, funny, and deeply human. Historically significant (98% RT, 82 Metacritic) and continues to educate new generations about a subculture that mainstream society ignored.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Captures a vibrant subculture with humanity, humor, and zero condescension—these are real people with dreams, not subjects in a zoo
Historically crucial for understanding LGBTQ+ history, particularly Black and Latinx queer/trans experiences in 1980s NYC
The creativity and artistry on display is stunning—voguing, elaborate costumes, chosen families, and the whole ball scene
Builds genuine empathy and challenges assumptions about marginalized communities
Critically acclaimed (98% RT) and culturally influential—shaped everything from Madonna to Pose to RuPaul's Drag Race

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What to Watch For

This is firmly adult content: sexual themes, nudity, profanity, discussions of sex work and survival
Heavy emotional terrain—AIDS crisis, poverty, violence against trans women, kids rejected by families
Some subjects discuss living on the streets as teenagers, which is heartbreaking
1990 documentary production values—not slick, more cinema verité style

Conversation Starters

"What did you learn about ballroom culture that surprised you?"
"How did these communities create their own families and support systems when society rejected them?"
"Why do you think voguing and ballroom culture became so influential in mainstream pop culture?"
"What does this documentary teach us about resilience and finding joy even in difficult circumstances?"
"How has LGBTQ+ acceptance changed (or not changed) since the 1980s?"

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