Many of the most important queer films in cinema history share a birthplace: the Sundance Film Festival. Organized by the Sundance Institute, the legendary annual fest in Park City, Utah, has boasted international and U.S. premiere titles as varied as the groundbreaking New York ballroom documentary Paris Is Burning in 1991, Donna Deitch’s 1985 lesbian road drama Desert Hearts or even recent masterworks like Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 adaptation of Call Me by Your Name.
The Hollywood Reporter spoke with Kim Yutani, director of programming at Sundance, about some of the most important Lgbtqia+ films to debut there.
“Seeing the films that Sundance has programmed over the years, especially around the early 1990s with the New Queer Wave, that was what attracted me to Sundance,” says Yutani, who’s been working with the festival for 17 years, and has also worked in various positions within the film industry, like as Gregg Araki...
The Hollywood Reporter spoke with Kim Yutani, director of programming at Sundance, about some of the most important Lgbtqia+ films to debut there.
“Seeing the films that Sundance has programmed over the years, especially around the early 1990s with the New Queer Wave, that was what attracted me to Sundance,” says Yutani, who’s been working with the festival for 17 years, and has also worked in various positions within the film industry, like as Gregg Araki...
- 6/26/2023
- by Hilton Dresden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
[Editor’s Note: The following contains minor spoilers for “Pose” Season 3.]
Anyone who’s been watching “Pose” over its history-making FX run won’t be surprised to learn the colorful show about New York’s ball culture definitely goes out with a bang. No expense was spared on the third and final season of Ryan Murphy’s most influential period melodrama — and the makeup and costumes are just as indulgent as the sentimental storytelling. With all of the pain and heartache trans people of color face in the real world, “Pose” laughs in face of reality by throwing something much more celebratory onscreen. Throughout all three seasons, “Pose” remains the fiercest advocate for itself — and for the power of living your truth.
Not that “Pose” ignores the ravages of the AIDS crisis, discrimination, and violence faced by the most marginalized (and most fabulous) among us. This season pulls no punches with the tragic realities of life for LGBTQ people...
Anyone who’s been watching “Pose” over its history-making FX run won’t be surprised to learn the colorful show about New York’s ball culture definitely goes out with a bang. No expense was spared on the third and final season of Ryan Murphy’s most influential period melodrama — and the makeup and costumes are just as indulgent as the sentimental storytelling. With all of the pain and heartache trans people of color face in the real world, “Pose” laughs in face of reality by throwing something much more celebratory onscreen. Throughout all three seasons, “Pose” remains the fiercest advocate for itself — and for the power of living your truth.
Not that “Pose” ignores the ravages of the AIDS crisis, discrimination, and violence faced by the most marginalized (and most fabulous) among us. This season pulls no punches with the tragic realities of life for LGBTQ people...
- 5/2/2021
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
When viewers tune into to “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” most don’t understand that they are getting a weekly lesson on queer history. With “Legendary Children: The First Decade of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the Last Century of Queer Life,” which was released March 3 from Penguin Books, authors Tom Fitzgerald and Lorenzo Marquez give fans of the show a fantastic primer on how it references, respects and outright pays homage to Lgbtq history — and makes sure that the VH1 series is part of that history’s timeline.
“We wanted this tone of being two really chatty gay uncles with a whole lot of stories about your queer forebears,” says Fitzgerald, half of the Philadelphia-based couple that’s behind the website TomandLorenzo.com, which delivers a daily dose of takes on fashion, celebrity, film, TV and pop culture; and podcast Tom & Lorenzo’s Pop Style Opinionfest. They still recap “Drag Race,...
“We wanted this tone of being two really chatty gay uncles with a whole lot of stories about your queer forebears,” says Fitzgerald, half of the Philadelphia-based couple that’s behind the website TomandLorenzo.com, which delivers a daily dose of takes on fashion, celebrity, film, TV and pop culture; and podcast Tom & Lorenzo’s Pop Style Opinionfest. They still recap “Drag Race,...
- 4/1/2020
- by Carole Horst
- Variety Film + TV
As Pose reaches the end of its second season (with its eye on it third), the critically acclaimed, six-time Emmy nominated FX series has shared the ’80s and ’90s ballroom culture with the masses and in turn, had an impact on pop culture with its authentic and thoughtful portrayal during a defining era of the Lgbtq community. During the Pose session at TCA, co-creator/writer/director Steven Canals was joined on the stage by producers Janet Mock and Our Lady J as well as actress Mj Rodriguez and Billy Porter via satellite to talk about the game-changing second season as well at the influence of the show since its premiere.
Mock, who also serves as a director and writer for the series said there was a challenge this season to go bigger in the ballroom scenes. She references Elektra’s (Dominque Jackson) elaborate costumes including her Marie Antoinette and clam shell pieces.
Mock, who also serves as a director and writer for the series said there was a challenge this season to go bigger in the ballroom scenes. She references Elektra’s (Dominque Jackson) elaborate costumes including her Marie Antoinette and clam shell pieces.
- 8/6/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
In the instantly mesmerizing opening shots of “The Queen,” Frank Simon’s vibrant 1968 documentary following a New York City drag pageant, a young Flawless Sabrina sits in front of a vanity perfecting her brows. She’s on the phone with a friend, urging them to come to the city for the show and head straight for her apartment on East 73rd street. In voiceover, she strikes a balance between an inviting and matter of fact tone, introducing herself as Jack Doroshow to her family — Sabrina to her queens.
Addressing the mainstream audience that would see the film during a successful art house theatrical release, she elaborates: “I go up to this queen and I say, ‘What’s your name?’ The queen says ‘Monique.’ And you say, ‘That’s marvelous, darling, but what was your name before?’ And the queen will look at you straight in the eye and say, ‘There was no before.
Addressing the mainstream audience that would see the film during a successful art house theatrical release, she elaborates: “I go up to this queen and I say, ‘What’s your name?’ The queen says ‘Monique.’ And you say, ‘That’s marvelous, darling, but what was your name before?’ And the queen will look at you straight in the eye and say, ‘There was no before.
- 6/28/2019
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Long before RuPaul brought the drag race into our living rooms and even before Madonna asked us to strike a pose in the “Vogue” music video, Crystal Labeija was a participant in the 1967 Miss All-America Camp Pageant. When she was declared the third runner up, Crystal walked off the stage in a fit of rage because these pageants discriminated against drag queens of color. Even subaltern queer cultural phenomena like drag balls were run on racist rules which kept out queer persons of color. When they did get around to participate, they were asked to lighten their faces. Fed up and angry, Crystal Labeija founded the legendary House of Labeija out of a need to create a safe space for queer people of color. This went on to shape the definitive ballroom and voguing culture for queer people of color, which forms the subject of Jennie Livingston’s 1990 documentary Paris is Burning.
- 6/14/2019
- MUBI
Premiering nearly three decades ago, Paris Is Burning was one of the most influential documentaries of the 1990s, spotlighting ballroom culture in all its glory and now it’s been restored for a theatrical release this summer. Ahead of the release, a new trailer has been released, featuring no shortage of unforgettable moments with certain ball stars you might be familiar with such as Angie Xtravaganza, Pepper Labeija, Dorian Corey and Octavia St-Laurent. Directed by Jennie Livingston, the documentary was filmed during the 1980s, and it showcased the joy and struggles these performers were going through. Even if the movie came out many decades ago, it still holds up by teaching viewers the true meaning of gender, race, and class in the tumultuous time of the AIDS crisis.
An impactful celebration about being yourself, Paris Is Burning is an insightful documentary about developing and honoring your own identity, clearly holding up decades later.
An impactful celebration about being yourself, Paris Is Burning is an insightful documentary about developing and honoring your own identity, clearly holding up decades later.
- 5/20/2019
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
Lena Waithe was honored with the Trailblazer Award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards in NYC on Saturday night. The actress and Emmy-winning writer - who hit the red carpet with her fianceé, Alana Mayo, gave a poignant acceptance speech on stage, during which she gave "glory and shine" to the stars of the iconic 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning. "I believe the only reason why I'm even allowed to stand here is because of a few other trailblazers that some of you might not be aware of." Lena then urged the audience to think of those Lgbtq+ pioneers, like Pepper Labeija, Dorian Corey, and Angie Xtravaganza, who "strutted through a brick wall so we wouldn't have to."
#MTVAwards: @LenaWaithe thanks trail blazers: "they strutted through a brick wall so we wouldn't have to" pic.twitter.com/0f20rUJxEE
- Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 19, 2018...
#MTVAwards: @LenaWaithe thanks trail blazers: "they strutted through a brick wall so we wouldn't have to" pic.twitter.com/0f20rUJxEE
- Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 19, 2018...
- 6/19/2018
- by Britt Stephens
- Popsugar.com
Lena Waithe was honored with the Trailblazer Award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards Monday night. The award recognizes content creators who introduce new and unique voices within the entertainment industry.
Upon accepting the award from Common, who said Waithe was "a visionary," she said although she was so "elated" when she found out she was receiving the award, she really wanted to dedicate it to other visionaries. She gave a special shout-out to the subjects of the groundbreaking 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, which follows drag queens — including Willi Ninja, Dorian Corey and more —...
Upon accepting the award from Common, who said Waithe was "a visionary," she said although she was so "elated" when she found out she was receiving the award, she really wanted to dedicate it to other visionaries. She gave a special shout-out to the subjects of the groundbreaking 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, which follows drag queens — including Willi Ninja, Dorian Corey and more —...
- 6/18/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lena Waithe was honored with the Trailblazer Award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards Monday night. The award recognizes content creators who introduce new and unique voices within the entertainment industry.
Upon accepting the award from Common, who said Waithe was "a visionary," she said although she was so "elated" when she found out she was receiving the award, she really wanted to dedicate it to other visionaries. She gave a special shout-out to the subjects of the groundbreaking 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, which follows drag queens — including Willi Ninja, Dorian Corey and more —...
Upon accepting the award from Common, who said Waithe was "a visionary," she said although she was so "elated" when she found out she was receiving the award, she really wanted to dedicate it to other visionaries. She gave a special shout-out to the subjects of the groundbreaking 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, which follows drag queens — including Willi Ninja, Dorian Corey and more —...
- 6/18/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Jennie Livingston’s landmark film on New York’s voguing scene helped shine a light on one of the most influential subcultures, but it also saw its creator accused of wanton voyeurism. On the eve of a controversial screening, is Paris Burnt?
Few documentaries can claim to have sparked as much discussion and controversy as Jennie Livingston’s debut Paris is Burning (1991), the vibrant time capsule of New York’s ballroom subculture in the 80s. Seven years in the making, this stylish, poignant film followed African American and Hispanic gay men, drag queens and transgender women as they compete in simultaneously fierce and fun competitions involving fashion runways and vogue dancing battles, while sporting styles like Butch Queen, Town and Country and Luscious Body. Many of the contestants vying for trophies represent “Houses” (Pendavis, Extravaganza, Labeija) which serve as surrogate families and social groups for a predominantly youthful community largely ostracised from mainstream society.
Few documentaries can claim to have sparked as much discussion and controversy as Jennie Livingston’s debut Paris is Burning (1991), the vibrant time capsule of New York’s ballroom subculture in the 80s. Seven years in the making, this stylish, poignant film followed African American and Hispanic gay men, drag queens and transgender women as they compete in simultaneously fierce and fun competitions involving fashion runways and vogue dancing battles, while sporting styles like Butch Queen, Town and Country and Luscious Body. Many of the contestants vying for trophies represent “Houses” (Pendavis, Extravaganza, Labeija) which serve as surrogate families and social groups for a predominantly youthful community largely ostracised from mainstream society.
- 6/24/2015
- by Ashley Clark
- The Guardian - Film News
It’s a film starring Sundance Film Fest creator Robert Redford and another film starring Sundance mainstay James Franco that are the latest and last items to officially pad the 2015 edition. Ken Kwapis’ A Walk in the Woods (surely to be discussed as a companion piece to Gus Van Sant’s heavy Cannes contender The Sea of Trees) and Rupert Goold’s directorial debut, True Story – a story that is stranger than fiction close out the Premieres selections. Also announced we find items for New Frontier, Sundance Kids and the From the Collection items. And while the line-up is complete, the actual final piece to the puzzle might actually be a secret screening or two. This year I wager on Terrence Malick’s Knight of Cups playing as a non official showing. Here’s the press release.
A Walk in the Woods / U.S.A. (Director: Ken Kwapis, Screenwriters: Rick Kerb,...
A Walk in the Woods / U.S.A. (Director: Ken Kwapis, Screenwriters: Rick Kerb,...
- 12/15/2014
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Sundance: Robert Redford stars opposite Nick Nolte in Salt Lake City gala
Festival top brass announced on December 15 a volley of 10 additional films and New Frontier installations.
The late arrivals mean the festival will screen 123 features overall from 29 countries culled from 12,166 submissions. A total of 106 of the features will be world premieres and 45 of the total line-up hail from first-time film-makers,
Sundance is set to run from January 22-February 1.
All synopses provided by the festival.
Premieres
A Walk In The Woods (USA)
Ken Kwapis
An aging travel writer sets out to hike the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail with a long-estranged high school buddy. Along the way, the duo face off with each other, nature, and an eccentric assortment of characters. Together, they learn that some roads are better left untraveled.
Cast: Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, Mary Steenburgen, Nick Offerman, Kristen Schaal.
World premiere
Salt Lake City Gala Film
True Story (USA)
Rupert Goold
When disgraced New York...
Festival top brass announced on December 15 a volley of 10 additional films and New Frontier installations.
The late arrivals mean the festival will screen 123 features overall from 29 countries culled from 12,166 submissions. A total of 106 of the features will be world premieres and 45 of the total line-up hail from first-time film-makers,
Sundance is set to run from January 22-February 1.
All synopses provided by the festival.
Premieres
A Walk In The Woods (USA)
Ken Kwapis
An aging travel writer sets out to hike the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail with a long-estranged high school buddy. Along the way, the duo face off with each other, nature, and an eccentric assortment of characters. Together, they learn that some roads are better left untraveled.
Cast: Robert Redford, Nick Nolte, Emma Thompson, Mary Steenburgen, Nick Offerman, Kristen Schaal.
World premiere
Salt Lake City Gala Film
True Story (USA)
Rupert Goold
When disgraced New York...
- 12/15/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Bates Motel is an interesting idea for a series (and frankly, so is The Carrie Diaries), but like Carrie Bradshaw I have to wonder: Have we nailed the art of the movie prequel TV series yet? I think it remains to be seen.
Today, in honor of A&E's new show about Norman Bates' bizarre past, I say we examine eight movies that could inspire fabulous prequel series. I snuck in two ideas for other Hitchcock prequels in case that's an easy sell right now. Grab your most hideous bridesmaid gown and suggest your options for prequel-worthy movies below.
1. Fatal Attraction
Face it: Alex Forrest should be one of the most interesting characters of the '80s, but because Fatal Attraction corners her into being a two-dimensional psychotic loon, she's never quite as humanized as she should be (despite Glenn Close's exceptional performance). A prequel series would rectify this...
Today, in honor of A&E's new show about Norman Bates' bizarre past, I say we examine eight movies that could inspire fabulous prequel series. I snuck in two ideas for other Hitchcock prequels in case that's an easy sell right now. Grab your most hideous bridesmaid gown and suggest your options for prequel-worthy movies below.
1. Fatal Attraction
Face it: Alex Forrest should be one of the most interesting characters of the '80s, but because Fatal Attraction corners her into being a two-dimensional psychotic loon, she's never quite as humanized as she should be (despite Glenn Close's exceptional performance). A prequel series would rectify this...
- 3/25/2013
- by virtel
- The Backlot
A few notes before we begin.
1) Get out your VHS of Paris Is Burning, because I just realized Nicki Minaj talks exactly like Venus Xtravaganza. I'm always expecting her to shout, "Touch this skin! Touch all of this skin!" at Mariah, who might just be Dorian Corey.
2) Keith Urban is living proof that most country stars dress like they're in a 2001 Matchbox 20 video.
3) Randy Jackson is still a cauldron of nothing.
Moving along! Idol's second day of season 12 auditions was damn fruitful, as 16 acts won Hollywood tickets and I didn't truly hate any of them. Can you believe it? I am filled with true hatred, and I had nowhere to displace it. In fact, the one auditioner who seemed like an obvious burnout turned out to be most provocative and cool singer of the competition so far. Let's visit with her first, shall we?
1. Kezban Sauerbier: Weird. And Thank God.
1) Get out your VHS of Paris Is Burning, because I just realized Nicki Minaj talks exactly like Venus Xtravaganza. I'm always expecting her to shout, "Touch this skin! Touch all of this skin!" at Mariah, who might just be Dorian Corey.
2) Keith Urban is living proof that most country stars dress like they're in a 2001 Matchbox 20 video.
3) Randy Jackson is still a cauldron of nothing.
Moving along! Idol's second day of season 12 auditions was damn fruitful, as 16 acts won Hollywood tickets and I didn't truly hate any of them. Can you believe it? I am filled with true hatred, and I had nowhere to displace it. In fact, the one auditioner who seemed like an obvious burnout turned out to be most provocative and cool singer of the competition so far. Let's visit with her first, shall we?
1. Kezban Sauerbier: Weird. And Thank God.
- 1/18/2013
- by virtel
- The Backlot
When I first saw "vogueing" -- that is, the manufactured version of it presented in Madonna's "Vogue" video -- all I wanted to do was define it. It's a dance, but it's about rigidity. It's gay, but it's a pantomime of commonplace fashion spreads. It's self-presentational, attitudinal, geometric, contorted, winkingly narcissistic, actually narcissistic, and stony-smirky-silly-serious fierce. It's a mirage, but it's undeniable. It's just the best. And when you see the real thing as presented in the unforgettable 1991 documentary Paris is Burning, you realize that the act of "striking a pose" is just a warped-ass, queeny way of being yourself in the face of your real-life hardship, minority status, and what the world's done to morph you and your flagrant gayness into something much less Op-u-lent.
I'm obviously preaching to the realness choir here, but there's a thundering righteousness to the subjects of Paris is Burning that is just timeless.
I'm obviously preaching to the realness choir here, but there's a thundering righteousness to the subjects of Paris is Burning that is just timeless.
- 6/13/2012
- by virtel
- The Backlot
Matt Canada here with another edition of "Screen Queens". Last week we looked at To Wong Foo, a mainstream lighthearted approach to drag queens and their fab subculture. So this week, a more realistic, nuanced, and sensitive approach to the same subject. Jennie Livingston's seminal documentary Paris Is Burning is a film I have been trying to find for years now, and it more than lives up to its reputation.
The film examines New Yorks mainly black and latino ball subculture, in which groups of queens, termed Houses (ex. House of Labeija, House of Xtravaganza), compete for prizes in categories like 'Realness' (most able to pass in the straight world), 'Pretty Girl', 'High Fashion Winter Sportswear', 'Miss Cheesecake', and 'Town and Country' to name just a few. Livingston's camera explores the lives of the different types of members within these Houses: famed drag queen Dorian Corey; House 'Mothers' Anji Xtravaganza,...
The film examines New Yorks mainly black and latino ball subculture, in which groups of queens, termed Houses (ex. House of Labeija, House of Xtravaganza), compete for prizes in categories like 'Realness' (most able to pass in the straight world), 'Pretty Girl', 'High Fashion Winter Sportswear', 'Miss Cheesecake', and 'Town and Country' to name just a few. Livingston's camera explores the lives of the different types of members within these Houses: famed drag queen Dorian Corey; House 'Mothers' Anji Xtravaganza,...
- 10/17/2009
- by CanadaMatt
- FilmExperience
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.