2024·Documentary·1h 25m
7.1
★
A documentary following the unsolved murder of Venus Xtravaganza, star of the legendary film "Paris Is Burning," as Venus' two families — biological and ballroom — come together to seek answers and celebrate her legacy.
Directed by Kimberly Reed
new york city
new jersey
murder
lgbt
jersey city
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Venus Xtravaganza
Self (archive footage)
Dominique Jackson
Self
Crew
T. Griffin
Original Music Composer
Dominique Jackson
Executive Producer
Jennie Livingston
Executive Producer
David Linde
Executive Producer
Dava Whisenant
Supervising Editor
Venus Xtravaganza
In Memory Of
Bella Graves
Camera Operator
Popular Reviews
73 reviews
helonkitty
8.0★ · 05/03/26
rest in peace venus xtravaganza, you deserved so much more than what this cruel world gave you 💞
i did feel like there was too little of venus herself in this movie but it was still beautiful to see everybody coming together to continue fighting for justice and venus to be seen & understood
protect the dolls <3
i did feel like there was too little of venus herself in this movie but it was still beautiful to see everybody coming together to continue fighting for justice and venus to be seen & understood
protect the dolls <3
rest in peace venus xtravaganza, you deserved so much more than what this cruel world gave you 💞
i did feel like there was too little of venus herself in this movie but it was still beautiful to see everybody coming together to continue fighting for justice and venus to be seen & understood
protect the dolls <3
i did feel like there was too little of venus herself in this movie but it was still beautiful to see everybody coming together to continue fighting for justice and venus to be seen & understood
protect the dolls <3
K
6.0★ · 04/03/26
😔 I’m glad Venus’s family sees her now she always deserved so much more
😔 I’m glad Venus’s family sees her now she always deserved so much more
Dougie JonesPRO
8.0★ · 03/16/26
VOGUING IS NOT A CRIME! VOGUING IS NOT A CRIME!
a necessary reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we still have to go
a necessary reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we still have to go
VOGUING IS NOT A CRIME! VOGUING IS NOT A CRIME!
a necessary reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we still have to go
a necessary reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we still have to go
johnnywd
so important i love that this exists
so important i love that this exists
Sam
6.0★ · 02/09/26
Better late than never?
I wish the focus was more on who she was, as well as explored the ballroom culture more, and these were certainly my favourite parts of this documentary. I loved hearing the stories of people who were inspired by Venus to be themselves.
Compared to them, the scenes with brothers often felt artificial. That being said, I still enjoyed seeing their feelings on the matter explored.
“Families don’t realise the damage that they do. The House of Xtravaganza was composed of people who were scarred because of their family’s neglect. Venus was one of those. I have found peace in my life, I have made peace with a lot of things. Thirty years ago I wouldn’t be so sure that this would go as civil as it’s going. And I’ll be honest, because I held a lot of resentment just from talking to Venus, and the pain that she felt.” — José XtravaganzaThe story of Venus is so tragic. The documentary follows her brothers, pushing for reopening the cold case of Venus Xtravaganza‘s murder.
I wish the focus was more on who she was, as well as explored the ballroom culture more, and these were certainly my favourite parts of this documentary. I loved hearing the stories of people who were inspired by Venus to be themselves.
Compared to them, the scenes with brothers often felt artificial. That being said, I still enjoyed seeing their feelings on the matter explored.
“The first thing I would say is ‘I’m sorry’.”Being queer myself, and having that part of me repeatedly rejected by my own blood, seeing someone’s family openly regret not being supportive is somewhat healing. Although years after her death, at least they’re finally making an effort to connect with who their sister truly was.
”I did a lot of shit to her, not to toughen her up, but you know… and I did a lot of shit to fuck her up too. Mikey was a baby, I told her: ‘You can watch him, and I’ll pay you,’ but I said to her ‘if you take the kid out, do not dress like a woman.’, I did say that to her, so… and I kind of feel fucked up about that now because that’s who she was.”Throughout the whole documentary, the brothers express their love towards Venus multiple times. it’s such a shame that she didn’t get to feel that love from them when she was still alive.
Better late than never?
I wish the focus was more on who she was, as well as explored the ballroom culture more, and these were certainly my favourite parts of this documentary. I loved hearing the stories of people who were inspired by Venus to be themselves.
Compared to them, the scenes with brothers often felt artificial. That being said, I still enjoyed seeing their feelings on the matter explored.
“Families don’t realise the damage that they do. The House of Xtravaganza was composed of people who were scarred because of their family’s neglect. Venus was one of those. I have found peace in my life, I have made peace with a lot of things. Thirty years ago I wouldn’t be so sure that this would go as civil as it’s going. And I’ll be honest, because I held a lot of resentment just from talking to Venus, and the pain that she felt.” — José XtravaganzaThe story of Venus is so tragic. The documentary follows her brothers, pushing for reopening the cold case of Venus Xtravaganza‘s murder.
I wish the focus was more on who she was, as well as explored the ballroom culture more, and these were certainly my favourite parts of this documentary. I loved hearing the stories of people who were inspired by Venus to be themselves.
Compared to them, the scenes with brothers often felt artificial. That being said, I still enjoyed seeing their feelings on the matter explored.
“The first thing I would say is ‘I’m sorry’.”Being queer myself, and having that part of me repeatedly rejected by my own blood, seeing someone’s family openly regret not being supportive is somewhat healing. Although years after her death, at least they’re finally making an effort to connect with who their sister truly was.
”I did a lot of shit to her, not to toughen her up, but you know… and I did a lot of shit to fuck her up too. Mikey was a baby, I told her: ‘You can watch him, and I’ll pay you,’ but I said to her ‘if you take the kid out, do not dress like a woman.’, I did say that to her, so… and I kind of feel fucked up about that now because that’s who she was.”Throughout the whole documentary, the brothers express their love towards Venus multiple times. it’s such a shame that she didn’t get to feel that love from them when she was still alive.