Paris Is Burning (1991) | How Woke Is It?

Our VerdictHyper Woke

92%

Paris Is Burning1991

In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected speech. These reviews reflect personal opinions and not statements of fact.

What We Think

A landmark of its genre, "Paris Is Burning" is an early example of film that unapologetically centers identity politics and ideological messaging, in this case, around race and gender. It's about as woke as you can get, especially for its time, with little room for traditional or pluralistic perspectives.

Score Breakdown

Compromised:Narrative Integrity

Hyper Woke

What is this?

"Paris Is Burning" foregrounds identity, sexuality, and race, often prioritizing those themes over traditional storytelling or character development. The film builds its narrative almost exclusively around marginalized identities, making ideology the centerpiece rather than blending it with broader human stories or merit-based arcs.

Compromised:Cultural Foundations

Hyper Woke

What is this?

The documentary places traditional family structures, religion, and masculinity in sharp contrast with the culture of the drag balls. Some viewers may interpret it as subverting or directly challenging foundational cultural values in favor of contemporary views on gender and identity.

Compromised:Ideological Monoculture

Hyper Woke

What is this?

Alternative perspectives, such as more traditional views on gender and family, are nearly absent, and any that appear are framed as oppressive or outdated. There is little internal debate within the worldview presented, and the film could easily be seen as ideologically homogenous.

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Disclaimer: In a free society the right to critique art is essential and protected as a form of free speech and freedom of expression. The reviews and commentary on this site represent personal opinions and interpretations. They are not statements of fact and should not be taken as factual claims about any individual, company, or creative work.