Jennifer Lopez's new film Kiss of the Spider Woman captivated Sundance audiences, blending 1950s Hollywood charm with a gritty prison drama about love transcending divides. The film, which received a standing ovation, is an adaptation of the 1976 novel and showcases Lopez in a diva role that embodies the transformative power of love.
Jennifer Lopez captivated audiences at Sundance with her new film Kiss of the Spider Woman, blending the charm of 1950s Hollywood musicals with the tension of a gritty prison drama. The film, which earned a standing ovation at the indie movie festival on Sunday, January 26, tells the story of two unlikely cellmates who form an intimate bond during Argentina’s 1970s military dictatorship.
The film stood out at Sundance, known for its focus on smaller arthouse and documentary films, becoming one of the most sought-after tickets of the event. Lopez described the story as a reflection of love's transformative power, emphasizing that it transcends all divides, whether they are based on sexuality or political beliefs. “These two people who couldn’t be more different in this cell together—doesn't matter their sexuality, their political beliefs,” Lopez explained on the red carpet. “It’s exactly the kind of story that we need to see right now.”
Diva Role
Kiss of the Spider Woman is adapted from the Broadway version of Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel, and is directed by Bill Condon, whose career spans from blockbusters like Dreamgirls and Chicago to the final Twilight films. Condon, who began his journey at Sundance with Gods and Monsters, acknowledged Lopez's star power in securing the film's financing and praised her for being the only actor who could truly embody her character. “Because it's a diva. We don't have that many divas in our lives. I don't know whether it's gone out of fashion,” he noted.
The plot follows Valentin, a political prisoner played by Diego Luna, who endures brutal torture at the hands of the military regime while clinging to his revolutionary ideals. He is forced to share a prison cell with Molina, a queer convict (played by Tonatiuh) sent to manipulate him into revealing information. Molina distracts Valentin by narrating the plot of a Hollywood musical, featuring Lopez as the glamorous diva Ingrid Luna. These musical sequences, presented in flashbacks, seamlessly blend into the prison drama, creating a poignant narrative.
Instant Connection
Lopez expressed that when she first read the script, she felt an instant connection with the role, describing it as the one “[she] was born to” play. Despite the challenges typical of independent films, including limited time and budget, Lopez was enthusiastic about the project, calling the experience worth the wait. As with many films at Sundance, Kiss of the Spider Woman is looking for a distributor, with producers hoping to ignite a bidding war between Hollywood studios and streaming platforms.
In another part of the festival, Josh O'Connor premiered Rebuilding, a drama centered on the emotional aftermath of wildfires. O'Connor, known for his role in The Crown, portrays a cowboy who loses his Colorado ranch in a wildfire and struggles to rebuild his life in a federal emergency camp. The film’s theme of community resilience resonated strongly with O'Connor, especially in light of the recent Los Angeles wildfires, which claimed more than 20 lives and destroyed thousands of homes. “TOne of the things that I've heard a lot coming out of LA is this feeling of unity in the city,” he reflected. “I think that's what this movie is about—community coming together to support each other, that we can't do it alone, and that isolation isn't good for us.”
Benedict Cumberbatch also attended the festival, showcasing The Thing With Feathers, a surreal exploration of grief. Based on Max Porter's novel, the film features Cumberbatch as a widower raising two young sons, who is visited by a giant crow symbolizing his unresolved sorrow.
Sundance continues until next Sunday, with these films and others attracting attention for their powerful storytelling and timely themes.
With AFP
Comments