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

To push William Hurt to find his feminine side, and also to loosen up his body and make him more flexible and fluid, Hector Babenco had him work with choreographer Mara Borba, who was set to play the Spider Woman. Hurt would walk behind her down the street, watching and analyzing her movements. Borba helped him throughout shooting as well, especially when he had trouble finding the right lightness. At one point, she suggested he take a scarf down from the wall and use it "to make believe your head is like a full moon floating high above the clouds."

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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

Featured in The 58th Annual Academy Awards (1986)

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Soundtracks

La Marseillaise
(uncredited)
Written by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle
Heard during one of the scenes of Molina's story

User Reviews

Great Film....

Adapted by Leonard Schrader from the Manuel Puig novel of the same name, 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman' is a great film, that has almost everything working for it. Héctor Babenco has directed the film with flourish, and William Hurt's performance as a jailed homosexual is simply exemplary!

'Kiss Of The Spider Woman' is about 2 inmates, their journey through those unforgiving cells and violence. And how they begin to respect each other and how they seek for freedom.

'Kiss Of The Spider Woman' is dark and gritty in nature, but beneath all that, it's the story of 2 people. And the adapted Screenplay does full justice to it's characters. Héctor Babenco's direction, as mentioned, has come out with flying colors.

As said, William Hurt's performance as a jailed homosexual is simply exemplary. He got all the respect by winning Awards. I personally salute Hurt for his work here. Sonia Braga as Spider Woman does a good job. Raúl Juliá is another actor who leaves a mark.

On the whole, 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman' is a winner all the way. Very Strongly Reccmended! Two Thumbs Up!