This is a great film and of a lost time/sub culture. I'd been to some of those events. The DVD took forever to come because of music rights... which always really burns me. Documentaries should not have to pay madonna because someone drives by in a car playing "holiday" durning an interview... nor should this film have been held back from DVD release so long just because it was filmed at places where music was played. But that's the world we live in now!
I remember seeing this when it came out--fabulous, but tragic too. I agree with you, Vincent-louis. Lawyers and money-hungry leeches are ruining the creativity of artists in all strata of filmmaking. If you're not blatantly stealing another artists' work, then incidental music (or artwork,etc.) should be allowed. Give them recognition when the credits roll and call it even.
I used to go to this bar, Club Edelweiss, on 42nd and 11th where alot of the Sally's gang had migrated after it closed. Once, I was lucky enough to witness the "Miss Edelweiss Pageant." It was a trip. One of the best parts was seeing the businessmen with their briefcases at the bar, having a drink after work before they went home.
"Your nuthin' but an overgrown… orangutan!" - Venus
This documentary - Paris Is Burning - is one of my all-time favorites, hands down. I, too, saw it when it came out. Bought it on v.h.s. and then years later on d.v.d.. It is poignant and funny, sketchy and honest, ugly and beautiful. Thanks for this post.
Paris is Burning 
This is a great film and of a lost time/sub culture. I'd been to some of those events. The DVD took forever to come because of music rights... which always really burns me. Documentaries should not have to pay madonna because someone drives by in a car playing "holiday" durning an interview... nor should this film have been held back from DVD release so long just because it was filmed at places where music was played. But that's the world we live in now!
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing this when it came out--fabulous, but tragic too. I agree with you, Vincent-louis. Lawyers and money-hungry leeches are ruining the creativity of artists in all strata of filmmaking. If you're not blatantly stealing another artists' work, then incidental music (or artwork,etc.) should be allowed. Give them recognition when the credits roll and call it even.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mavis is not like ANY doc makes that much Iif any) profit to begin with!
ReplyDeleteI used to go to this bar, Club Edelweiss, on 42nd and 11th where alot of the Sally's gang had migrated after it closed. Once, I was lucky enough to witness the "Miss Edelweiss Pageant." It was a trip. One of the best parts was seeing the businessmen with their briefcases at the bar, having a drink after work before they went home.
ReplyDelete"Your nuthin' but an overgrown… orangutan!" - Venus
ReplyDeleteThis documentary - Paris Is Burning - is one of my all-time favorites, hands down. I, too, saw it when it came out. Bought it on v.h.s. and then years later on d.v.d.. It is poignant and funny, sketchy and honest, ugly and beautiful. Thanks for this post.