Voguing: The Message

A pre-Madonna primer that raises questions about race, sex and subcultural style, Voguing: The Message traces the roots of this gay Black and Latino dance form, which appropriates and plays with poses and images from mainstream fashion. Voguing competitions that parody fashion shows and rate the contestants on the basis of movement, appearance and costume, are highlighted in this 1989 documentary that provides early access to the movement that eventually swept the nation.