Jennie Livingston's documentary cameras take you behind a door you might otherwise never have cracked open, or even known existed: the competitive gay costume balls of Harlem, or just "balls" for short. There's more to it than you might imagine: more categories of competition, for one thing (Fashion Model, Executive, Military, School, etc.). And then there's the matter of "houses" (defined as gay street gangs), "vogueing" (a combative form of dance), among other new vocabulary words. The presentation is messy, and -- to the extent that it is arranged at all -- calculated to sadden and depress. But your interest has plenty of room to roam on its own. (1990) — Duncan Shepherd
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