This is Ballroom

Synopsis

In Rio de Janeiro City and its outskirts, LGBTQ+ youth of color recreates Ballroom culture on their own terms. A portrait of the dramas, the voguing performances, and the art of shade, 50 years after its inception in New York. Rio is burning!

Description

This movement—both artistic and political—combines dance, beauty pageants, and a platform for political expression, bringing visibility to queer and racialized identities. In 1960s New York, the drag scene experienced a major rupture: while white drag performers dominated the media and cultural spotlight, Black and Latinx drag queens chose to create a space where they could affirm their identities and be celebrated. It was within this context that the Balls were born.

The film captures the full vitality of the Houses—chosen families that provide both a festive and politically engaged environment. It showcases dazzling performances interwoven with conversations around key social issues. These are inclusive spaces, open to all identities: women, men, cisgender, trans, and non-binary people. The Houses compete in categories such as Face, Runway, and Performance, and, like any family unit, tensions can arise.

The directors immerse us in this vibrant world—a powerful symbol of freedom, pride, and resistance.

Vitã and Juru

Vitã is a filmmaker and screenwriter. Director of the short film “The day I remembered the trip to Bicuda” (2015), producer of the feature documentary “It’s Not the First Time We Fight For Our Love” (2022). Curator of Brazilian Comedy FF and of showcases on Hong Sangsoo films in four cities in Brazil. Master’s degree in Audiovisual at UFF (Brazil). In the ballroom scene, they participate as an independent photographer and are a member of the Legendary House of Lauren Intl.

Juru is a researcher, dramaturgist and performing arts critic. Casting coach for the feature film “Com O Terceiro Olho na Terra da Profanação”, by Catu Rizo (2017) and the short film “Sunset”, by Bruno Roger  (2014). Dramaturgist in the performance “Repertory n. 1”, by Davi Pontes and Wallace Ferreira. Master in Contemporary Arts Studies at UFF and PhD student in Arts at UERJ.

Filmography:

Vitã

“The day I remembered the trip to Bicuda” (2015, Brazil, 24’)
“Heterônimo” (2016, Brazil, 25’)

Juru

1st film

Directors’ 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.

Credits

Director: Juru and Vitã
Tags: Dance, LGBTQ+, Ballroom, BIPOC Cast & Crew,
Original title:  Salão de Baile
English title:  This is Ballroom

Cast:  House Of Alafia, House Of Blyndex, House Of Bushidö, House Of Cabal, House Of Cazul, Casa De Cosmos, Casa De Dandara, Casa Dy Fokatruá, House Of Império, Casa De Lafond, House Of Mamba Negra, House Of Raabe, 007s

Scriptwriter: Juru, Vitã, Peterkino
Director of photography: Paula Monte, Suelen Menezes
Production designer: Gah, Germaneto, Idra Mamba Negra
Editor: Peterkino
Motion: Elo Silva
Sound design: Thiago Sobral
Sound mixing:  Thiago Sobral
Music: Globalkunt
Producers: Luis Carlos de Alencar, Vladimir Seixas
Production company: Couro de Rato
Associate production company: Kiwi Filmes