Pride

Lili’s Pick: Paris is Burning

Lanie’s Pick: But I’m a Cheerleader

While they certainly differ in tone, aesthetic, and format, Paris is Burning and But I’m a Cheerleader are alike in their message and mission. Being avid allies of the LGBTQ+ community, my sister and I knew we had to visit some of the queer cinema that made room for the queer content we enjoy so thoroughly today. Paris is Burning, Jennie Livingston’s now iconic documentary, was educational, to say the least. Every piece of lingo, every look, every turn on the catwalk, was like watching history in real time. It felt more intimate than any other documentary I’d ever seen before, which made for a magical viewing experience. Even RuPaul herself or Lin-“love is love is love” Manuel Miranda couldn’t describe the exquisite beauty that is displayed among the queens and their stories, it is something that simply must be experienced for oneself. But I’m a Cheerleader turned a fairly tragic tale into a colorful and hilarious narrative of empowerment and joy. There’s an almost Beetlejuice-esque quality to this film’s aesthetic, like it was filmed inside of dollhouse and styled by both Balenciaga and Betsey Johnson. Mixed in with all of the innuendo and kooky humor was a lot of heart, and the charming cast really brought it out.