The official trailer has arrived for upcoming musical drama Kiss of the Spider Woman, starring Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, and Tonatiuh. Bill Condon, director of Dreamgirls and Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, and of writer of Chicago, writes and directs this new adaptation of the acclaimed story.
Between confinement and fantasy
Set in Argentina in 1983, during the grip of military rule, the story follows two individuals forced into the same prison cell. Valentín (Luna) is a political prisoner; Molina (Tonatiuh) has been jailed for “immoral” behaviour.
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To endure the brutality of their situation, Molina spins stories of an old fantasy film, conjuring the image of Aurora (Lopez), a glamorous star whose presence brings light to the dark walls around them. As the tales unfold, so too does a fragile bond between the men.
A legacy of adaptations
Originally written by Argentine author Manuel Puig in 1976, the novel was first adapted into the 1985 film that earned William Hurt an Academy Award for Best Actor. The story later made its way to Broadway, transformed into a musical by Terrence McNally, John Kander, and Fred Ebb — a production that went on to claim seven Tony Awards. Condon’s film stands as the second screen adaptation, weaving influences from both Puig’s novel and the celebrated stage show.
Kiss of the Spider Woman will be released in U.S. cinemas on December 25.
