Each year the Library Of Congress chooses 25 films for preservation, which it considers are important enough to cinema that they deserve special protection. This year’s movies have now been picked, and amongst the movies – some well known, others less so – is Paris Is Burning, Jennie Livingston’s 1990 documentary about the queer Ball Scene in New York.

The documentary shone a light on a phenomenon which was largely unknown even by most of the gay world. The ball scene was a self-created world, populated by those largely ostracised by society – and not just because they were queer – such as poor African-American and Hispanic gay men, drag queens and transgender women, who came together into ‘Houses’ that competed against each other in fabulous drag balls. It’s a world that’s still going strong today.

Paris Is Burning is considered seminal as both a look at this world and in terms of gay-themed documentary as a whole. It’s also been incredibly influential, not least on the current world of drag. However, it has become controversial, with some accusing Livingston of essentially being a voyeur onto the scene, and an enabler of cultural appropriation due to the influence the film has had (including popularising the idea of ‘shade’ being an insult, and ‘fierce’ for strong fashion look). Some of the participants also felt used, as despite the success of the documentary they made little money out of it.

While Paris Is Burning remains adored by many and loathed by others, the Library Of Congress has decided it fits the criteria of being ‘culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant’ enough to enter the National Film Registry. Other movies going in this year include East of Eden, The Lion King and The Birds. Another semi-queer favourite is also included, Thelma & Louise. Take a look below at the list of all 25 films. [Read more…]