Title: KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMEN-COLLECTORS EDITION
Year: 1985 (Collectors Edition released this month)
Director: Hector Babenco
Starring: William Hurt
Raul Julia
Sonia Braga
MPAA Rating: R (feature) NR (documentary)
Distributor: City Lights Home Entertainment
Running time: 120 minutes,
Tangled Web running time: 108 minutes
Official Website: http://www.citylightsmedia.com/
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMEN was the first independent movie ever to receive the top four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Hector Babenco. The film was adapted for the screen by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Leonard Schrader and produced by David Weisman from Manuel Puig’s novel of the same name.
Set in a non-specific Latin American country, the film takes a penetrating look at the role of sex and politics under an oppressive right-wing regime. The timeless story follows the complex relationship between two very different men, each with an opposite view of life; the drama builds to an emotionally powerful crescendo as the two men come together in a stunningly transcendental conclusion. William Hurt’s Oscar-winning performance is a captivating tribute to the power of film and fantasy as means to escape inhumane conditions.
I think of most DVD reissues as a way to just make more money. Sometimes it is true. This time it is not. This collector’s edition contains three remarkable documentaries. “Tangled Web: Making Kiss of the Spider Women”, “The Submissive Woman’s Role”, and “Spider Woman on Broadway”. All three of these are a must see for any fan of this film but in particular for independent filmmakers, screenwriters and actors.
Few know that KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMEN was the first truly independent film. Before there was Lion’s Gate, Miramax, Weinstein Company, New Line or any of the other major indie distributors, producer David Weisman took on the daunting task of packaging, financing and distributing KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMEN. Every filmmaker should own this collectors edition. The three documentaries are not only informative; they are excellently produced pieces of filmmaking in their own right. I was multitasking as I put the DVD on and within the first ten minutes was forced to set aside other work and sit, watch and listen.
Issued just in time for the holidays, this two-disc collection is the perfect gift for you or a film enthusiast you really, really like a lot. At $34.98 (add $5 for Blu-ray) it won’t break the bank and is well worth the price of admission.
FIVE STARS. BUY IT TODAY. A KEEPER!
0 comments
Post a Comment