Kiss of the Spider Woman
United States • 1985
Director
#1299Criterion Collection →Synopsis
Héctor Babenco’s follow-up to his electrifying international breakthrough PIXOTE is another powerful, boldly realized portrait of life on the margins of Brazilian society. Based on the novel by Argentine writer Manuel Puig, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN features tour de force performances from William Hurt (winner of the Best Actor award at both the Academy Awards and the Cannes Film Festival) and Raúl Juliá as, respectively, the queer, gender-fluid Molina and the leftist radical Valentin, who find themselves imprisoned in the same cell during the Brazilian military dictatorship. Despite their very different approaches to life, the two form a connection that gradually transforms their understanding of politics, gender, sexuality, and revolution.
Synopsis
Héctor Babenco’s follow-up to his electrifying international breakthrough PIXOTE is another powerful, boldly realized portrait of life on the margins of Brazilian society. Based on the novel by Argentine writer Manuel Puig, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN features tour de force performances from William Hurt (winner of the Best Actor award at both the Academy Awards and the Cannes Film Festival) and Raúl Juliá as, respectively, the queer, gender-fluid Molina and the leftist radical Valentin, who find themselves imprisoned in the same cell during the Brazilian military dictatorship. Despite their very different approaches to life, the two form a connection that gradually transforms their understanding of politics, gender, sexuality, and revolution.
Credits
Crew
DirectorHéctor Babenco
WriterLeonard Schrader
CinematographerRodolfo Sánchez
ComposerJohn Neschling, Nando Cordeiro
EditorMauro Alice
ProducerDavid Weisman
Cast
William Hurtas Luis Molina
Raúl Juliáas Valentin Arregui
Sônia Bragaas Leni Lamaison / Marta / Spider Woman