Summer Film Series: Renaissance Perspective:
Film Selections Inspired by Kehinde Wiley
1st in Series: Paris is Burning
VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS | FRI, JUNE 24, 2016 | 6:30–8:30 pm
Leslie Cheek Theater
$8 (VMFA members $5)
804.340.1405 or www.VMFA.museum
Paris is Burning (Dir Jennie Livingston; 1991; 71 min; Rated R for language, nudity, and sexuality) Black and Hispanic drag queens come together on the ballroom floor in NYC to compete in dance categories like “Executive Realness,” “Opulence,” and creating a style of “voguing,” imitating magazine fashion poses. Outlandish and full of joie de vivre, this intimate documentary allows participants their humanity and freedom to express their hopes, dreams, and disappointments, as well as their views of men and women.
Connection: Kehinde Wiley has cited this as a movie that is particularly meaningful to him and is an interesting way into understanding his art work.
Look for Spike Lee’s Da Blood of Sweet Jesus on July 29 and The Draughtsman’s Contract on August 19.