Jennie Livingston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jennie Livingston
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Livingston at the Here! Network/Outfest Queer Brunch during the Sundance Film Festival in 2006.
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| Born | February 24, 1962 |
| Education | Yale University (BA) |
| Occupation | Film director |
Jennie Livingston (born February 24, 1962) is an American director. She is most famous for her 1990 documentary film, Paris is Burning. This film explores the exciting world of ball culture in New York City.
Contents
About Jennie Livingston
Early Life and School
Jennie Livingston was born in Dallas, Texas. When she was two years old, her family moved to Los Angeles. She is the youngest of three children.
Her mother, Myra Cohn Livingston, was a poet and wrote books for children. Her father, Richard Livingston, was an accountant and also wrote a children's book. Her brother Jonas worked in the music industry.
Jennie went to Beverly Hills High School. She then studied at Yale University, graduating in 1983. At Yale, she learned about photography, drawing, and painting. She also took a summer filmmaking class in 1984.
In 1985, Livingston moved to New York City. She lives in Brooklyn and is Jewish.
Her Career in Film
Jennie Livingston worked on the film Orphans in 1987. Her uncle, Alan J. Pakula, who was a director, encouraged her to make her own films.
Paris Is Burning Documentary
Livingston's most well-known film is Paris Is Burning. It is a documentary about the ball culture in New York City. This culture was created by Black and Latin transgender and gay people.
The film won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize in 1991. It was an important film for independent movies and for New Queer Cinema. Many critics thought Paris Is Burning was one of the best films of 1991.
In 2016, the film was added to the Film Archive at the Library of Congress. This is a special honor, like for films such as The Lion King.
Paris Is Burning has inspired many filmmakers and TV shows. It is taught in universities in different subjects. The FX show Pose was inspired by this film.
The film features many people from the ball culture. These include Willi Ninja, Dorian Corey, and Pepper Labeija.
Even though it came out in 1991, the film is still shown around the world. It continues to attract new viewers of all ages. In 2017, a New York Times critic suggested it as one of "12 Films To See Before You Turn 13."
Other Film Projects
Jennie Livingston has also made short films. Hotheads (1993) is a documentary about how comedians respond to violence against women. It was shown on MTV.
Who's the Top? (2005) was her first short film that told a story. It premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival. This film was shown at over 150 film festivals around the world.
Through the Ice (2005) is a short digital film. It tells the story of an accidental drowning in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. This film was shown at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.
Livingston has been working on a film called Earth Camp One. This film is about dealing with loss and memories. She started this project after experiencing personal losses in her family.
She has also been developing a project called Prenzlauer Berg. This is a series set in the art worlds of New York and East Berlin in the late 1980s.
In 2011, Livingston directed a video for Elton John's show in Las Vegas. The video showed black and white portraits of New Yorkers.
Jennie Livingston has taught and given talks at many places. These include Yale and Brooklyn College. She has also received special awards and fellowships for her work.
Since 2018, Livingston has been a consulting producer for the TV show Pose. This show is greatly inspired by her documentary Paris Is Burning. She also directed an episode of Pose.
Filmography
Film
- 1991: Paris Is Burning – director, producer
- 1993: Hotheads – director, producer, editor (Short film)
- 2005: Who's the Top? – director, producer, writer, editor (Short film)
- 2006: Through the Ice – director, producer, editor (Short film)
- TBA: Earth Camp One – director, editor (in post-production)
Television
- 2018–2019: Pose – consulting producer: seasons 1 and 2; director: episode "Blow" (2.07)
Theater
- 1994: Stonewall – film installation in theatrical production
See also
- LGBT culture in New York City
- List of female film and television directors
- List of lesbian filmmakers
- List of LGBT-related films directed by women
- List of LGBT people from New York City
- NYC Pride March
