Bill Condon (right) writer/director of 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman', poses with cast members Tonatiuh (left) and Jennifer Lopez at the premiere of the film during the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 26, 2025, in Park City, Utah. Photo: AP
Jennifer Lopez brought a heady blend of 1950s Hollywood musical and gritty prison drama to Sundance with her new film Kiss Of The Spider Woman, which earned a standing ovation from the indie movie festival on Sunday (Jan 26).
The musical film, about two mismatched cellmates who form an unlikely intimate bond during Argentina's 1970s military dictatorship, was the hottest ticket at this year's Sundance gathering, which typically focuses on smaller arthouse and documentary fare.
"It's about how love can cure any divide. These two people who couldn't be more different in this cell together – doesn't matter their sexuality, their political beliefs. None of it," Lopez told AFP, on the red carpet.
"It's exactly the kind of story that we need to see right now," she said.
Based on the Broadway adaptation of Argentine author Manuel Puig's novel, Kiss Of The Spider Woman is directed by Bill Condon.
Condon is best-known for blockbusters like Dreamgirls, Chicago and the final Twilight films, but earned his big break at Sundance with 1998's Oscar-winning Gods And Monsters.
Jennifer Lopez, a cast member in 'Kiss Of The Spider Woman', at the Sundance Film Festival. Photo: APHe told AFP that Lopez's involvement undoubtedly helped the film procure financing, but that he also "knew she was the only person who could play this part."
"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 said.
Diego Luna plays Valentin, a tough and idealistic political prisoner who is experiencing horrific torture by the regime, but refuses to give up his revolutionary secrets.
He finds himself forced to bunk up with Molina (Tonatiuh), a convict who has secretly been sent to coax information from him.
Molina starts regaling Valentin with the plot of his favourite Hollywood musical – shown in extensive flashbacks, starring Lopez as the glamorous diva Ingrid Luna, which begin to interweave with the prison narrative.
"When I read it, I thought to myself, 'This role was made for me, this is the role I was born to, this is the one.' And I had to wait, but it was worth it," said Lopez.
"It was challenging in the way that indie films are challenging... limited time, limited money."
Like most films at Sundance, the movie is up for sale, with producers hoping to spark a bidding war between Hollywood studios and streamers. – AFP
