Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)

A gay man and a political prisoner are together in a prison. The gay man narrates the stories of two fake movies and his own life.

Director:

Hector Babenco

Writers:

Manuel Puig (based on the novel by), Leonard Schrader

Stars:

William Hurt, Raul Julia, Sônia Braga

Won 1 Oscar. Another 12 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Hurt	...	Luis Molina
Raul Julia	...	Valentin Arregui
Sônia Braga	...	Leni Lamaison / Marta / Spider Woman (as Sonia Braga)
José Lewgoy	...	Warden
Milton Gonçalves	...	Pedro
Míriam Pires	...	Mother (as Miriam Pires)
Nuno Leal Maia	...	Gabriel
Fernando Torres	...	Americo
Patricio Bisso	...	Greta
Herson Capri	...	Werner
Denise Dumont	...	Michele (as Denise Dummont)
Nildo Parente	...	Leader of Resistance
Antônio Petrin	...	Clubfoot (as Antonio Petrin)
Wilson Grey	...	Flunky
Miguel Falabella	...	Lieutenant

Storyline

Luis Molina and Valentin Arregui are cell mates in a South American prison. Luis, a trans individual, is found guilty of immoral behavior and Valentin is a political prisoner. To escape reality Luis invents romantic movies, while Valentin tries to keep his mind on the situation he's in. During the time they spend together, the two men come to understand and respect one another.

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Plot Keywords:

film within a film | prison | revolutionary | homosexual | foreign language adaptation | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Agita Productions, Inc.

Country:

Brazil USA

Language:

English French Portuguese German

Release Date:

26 July 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

El beso de la mujer araña

Filming Locations:

Julio Prestes Train Station, São Paulo, Brazil

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$55,962, 27 July 1985, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$17,037,728

Company Credits

Production Co:

HB Filmes, FilmDallas Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Manuel Puig came to Sao Paulo to work with Leonard Schrader on the script. He put a lot of humor back into the story and came up with the idea for how Molina would first be introduced to the audience, wrapping a towel around his head while he related the Nazi film story to Valentin.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Luis Molina: She's... well, she's something a little strange. That's what she noticed, that she's not a woman like all the others. She seems all wrapped up in herself. Lost in a world she carries deep inside her.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Overdrawn at the Memory Bank (1997)

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Soundtracks

JE ME MOQUE DE L'AMOUR
Lyrics by Manuel Puig, David Weisman
Music by John Neschling (uncredited)
Sung by Sônia Braga (uncredited)

User Reviews

An underrated gem

"Spider Woman", although an emotionally draining film, is a true classic. Right from the first scene, you feel the frustration of Valentin and Molina, both outcasts of society, yet for very different reasons.

The acting is nothing less than extraordinary. William Hurt as the lonely homosexual, Molina, the late Raul Julia, as the stern, but deeply caring political prisoner, Valentin, and Sonia Braga, who takes on three different roles, including the title role, and plays them all brilliantly, are what makes this film

so great.

Although Hurt deservingly won the Oscar for Best Actor, the same consideration should have been given to Julia and Braga for their contribution.

If you've seen it, see it again....if you haven't, I highly recommend you do.