This Is Ballroom

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 !

Content warning :
May be disturbing.

Director’s statement:
Directed by ballroom filmmakers, This is Ballroom is an insider gaze at the universe of Ballroom culture in Rio de Janeiro and its outskirts. We portray our community as a place of gathering and celebration but also a space where conflicts can be dealt with.

We filmed a ball specially held for this project, then followed the daily lives of some houses that attended the event. Structured as a multiplot narrative, the film features exclusive performances in outdoor locations and strong testimonies. To tell stories from the past, we used archival images and reenactments of foundational events of ball culture in the USA, with our cast role-playing historical characters.

Among the conflicts emerged during the shootings, there are rivalries related to racial issues and gender categories. We also discuss the complexities of translating a US-American culture to Brazilian reality, and innovations created here, like the Batekoo dance — born within the favela’s funk balls.
- Juru & Vitã