Kiss of the Spider Woman (film)
"Kiss of the Spider Woman" is a film that explores complex themes of sexuality, politics, and human connection through the experiences of two men imprisoned in a Latin American jail. The story centers on Luis Molina, a homosexual window dresser portrayed by William Hurt, who is imprisoned for corrupting a minor. His cellmate, Valentin Arregui, played by Raul Julia, is a political revolutionary. Despite their stark differences—Molina's embrace of fantasy and nostalgia versus Valentin's commitment to political ideology—their confinement fosters a profound bond that challenges their individual beliefs. The narrative is enriched by Molina’s storytelling, which features characters like the Spider Woman, offering both men an escape from their grim reality. The film received critical acclaim, winning multiple Academy Award nominations and a Best Actor Oscar for Hurt. While it sparked discussions regarding the portrayal of homosexuality and stereotypes, it remains an influential work that resonates with themes of love, humanity, and the struggle for freedom. The film’s impact in the 1980s continues to be felt, prompting reflection on the intricate interplay between personal identity and societal issues.
Kiss of the Spider Woman (film)
Identification U.S.-Brazilian dramatic film
Director Hector Babenco
Date Released July 26, 1985
The film adaptation of Argentinean author Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel broke new ground for independent film and earned international praise as one of the most successful independent films of its time.
Key Figures
Hector Babenco (1946- ), film director
Despite the film’s difficulties securing financial backing, Kiss of the Spider Woman won critical acclaim at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival, where William Hurt was awarded Best Actor, and the film soon realized international success. The motion picture drama became the first independent film to earn multiple Academy Award nominations (for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay) and was also the first to garner an Academy Award for Best Actor, again for Hurt. The film’s other noteworthy performances included those of Raul Julia as Valentin and Brazilian actress Sonia Braga in the multiple roles of Leni Lamison, Marta, and the Spider Woman.
Kiss of the Spider Woman is predominantly set in a dingy cell of a nameless Latin American prison. Luis Molina (Hurt), a homosexual window dresser imprisoned for corrupting a minor, is an idealist who refuses to sacrifice fantasy for reality, instead immersing himself in the nostalgia and glamour of memories of his favorite films. Valentin Arregui (Julia) is a revolutionary, tortured and imprisoned for his involvement with an anti-government party. In contrast to Molina, Valentin has chosen to sacrifice emotion for political ideology. Despite the two men’s tremendous dissimilarities, their confinement forces them to confront their own beliefs and form a bond that transcends the boundaries of sexuality and politics; the two men ultimately realize through their love for each other what constitutes humanity.
Also noteworthy is a subplot with Sonia Braga’s multiple characters at its center. In the prison cell, Molina narrates tales to Valentin, one recapitulating an old Nazi propaganda film, another about the mysterious Spider Woman. These narratives offer temporary escape for both men: The stories distract Valentin from debilitating pain and anxiety; they free Molina from the confines of physical maleness, allowing him to access a world in which he might experience love. Molina’s storytelling permeates the main plot, weaving an imaginative world of possibility and freedom into the men’s dark reality.
Impact
The independent U.S.-Brazilian coproduction Kiss of the Spider Woman gained international success, demonstrating the viability of such a project. It was also a significant critical success, garnering particular recognition for Hurt, whose performance as the homosexual Molina earned an Academy Award. While most attention devoted to this film was favorable, however, some critics were conflicted about Hurt’s performance and suggested that his portrayal of a flamboyant, feminine homosexual perpetuated negative stereotypes. Despite some controversy, Kiss of the Spider Woman had a tremendous impact upon the 1980’s, prompting questions about politics, sexuality, and human nature.
Bibliography
Hadleigh, Boze. The Lavender Screen: The Gay and Lesbian Films—Their Stars, Makers, Characters, and Critics. New York: Citadel Press, 1993.
Santoro, Patricia. “Kiss of the Spider Woman—Novel, Play, and Film: Homosexuality and the Discourse of the Maternal in a Third World Prison.” In Framing Latin American Cinema: Contemporary Critical Perspectives, edited by Ann Marie Stock. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1997.
Wiegmann, Mira. The Staging and Transformation of Gender Archetypes in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “M. Butterfly,” and “A Kiss of the Spider Woman.” Lewiston, N.Y.: Edwin Mellen Press, 2003.