This acclaimed documentary takes a look at the "Ballroom" artist-activist scene of a new generation of LGBTQ youth-of-color In New York City, now called the Kiki scene. Made famous to the mainstream in the early '90s by Madonna’s video “Vogue” and the documentary “Paris Is Burning,” the Ballroom inspired Kiki scene provides an empowering community while a new generation battles with homelessness, illness and prejudice...
"A kaleidoscopic and vivid rendering of a world that is larger than life...It’s an ultimately uplifting film and one that doesn’t patronise or placate: the ballroom is shown for what it is, complex, flamboyant and a place to express yourself." - The Guardian (U.K.)
"An uplifting sense emerges of the resilience through community of youth who are marginalized, abandoned, isolated, bullied or sexually exploited. As one interview subject says, 'It's important that people see this film and know that we’re strong as fuck.'" - Hollywood Reporter
"Leaves you with the bracing sense that however tough and resilient its subjects might be forced to become, their hope of a better, more tolerant future will never go out of style." - L.A. Times
In New York City, LGBTQ youth-of-color gather out on the Christopher Street Pier, practicing a performance-based artform, Ballroom, which was made famous in the early 1990s by Madonna’s music video “Vogue” and the documentary “Paris Is Burning.” Twenty-five years after these cultural touchstones, a new and very different generation of LGBTQ youth have formed an artistic activist subculture, named the Kiki Scene. Kiki follows seven characters from the Kiki community over the course of four years, using their preparations and spectacular performances at events known as Kiki balls as a framing device while delving into their battles with homelessness, illness and prejudice as well as their gains towards political influence and the conquering of affirming gender-expressions. Not rated. 94 mins.
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