The Birdcage is a 1996 American comedy film directed by Mike Nichols, and stars Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, and Dianne Wiest. Dan Futterman, Calista Flockhart, Hank Azaria, and Christine Baranski appear in supporting roles. The script was written by Elaine May. It is a remake of the 1978 Franco-Italian film, La Cage aux Folles, by Jean Poiret and Francis Veber, starring Michel Serrault and Ugo Tognazzi.
Williams' character, Armand, owns The Birdcage, a South Beach drag club. His domestic partner, played by Lane, is Albert, who appears regularly as "Starina," the show's star drag queen.
The Carlyle Hotel in South Beach was used as the filming location for the club.