This is Ballroom - Festival International du Film sur l'Art

by Vitã & Juru
2024 | 1 h 32 m | Brazil
Portuguese | Subtitles: English

In theaters and available on line from March 21 to 30 on arts.film

In the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro and its outskirts, young LGBTQ+ individuals from non-white communities are reinventing the culture of Ballroom and voguing (an underground queer subculture) in their own way, 50 years after its emergence in New York. Directed by Brazilian queer artists Juru (a researcher, playwright, and performing arts critic) and Vitã (a filmmaker and screenwriter), this performative documentary moves between a night of competition in Rio’s Ballroom scene, the daily lives of the artists and community members, and theatrical reenactments embodying historical figures. Through testimonials and dance scenes, the film explores the challenges these young people face and the powerful impact of a culture that celebrates self-expression, resilience, and solidarity. Rio is Burning!