A departure from the typical Sundance Film Festival offerings, a lavish, MGM-style musical made its debut in Park City, Utah on Sunday night. Bill Condon presented his adaptation of 'Kiss of the Spider Woman,' featuring Jennifer Lopez in a leading role.
The screening at the packed Eccles Theater was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience, particularly for Lopez's captivating song and dance performances. Lopez portrays an old Hollywood screen siren within a movie-within-the-movie, dazzling viewers with her talent and glamour.
'I've been waiting for this moment my whole life,' Lopez expressed after receiving a standing ovation in a glittery spiderweb themed outfit.
'Kiss of the Spider Woman' originated as a novel by Manuel Puig in 1976 and has since been adapted for stage and screen. Condon's version, seeking distribution, stars Diego Luna as imprisoned revolutionary Valentin Arregui and Tonatiuh as his cellmate Luis Molina, who shares his love for movies and celebrity.
The film not only offers moments of escapist spectacle but also delves into themes of gender identity. Molina's exploration of not conforming to traditional gender roles prompts Valentin to reconsider his perspectives.
Condon highlighted the film's underlying message of bridging differences, contrasting it with recent political statements on gender identity. The cast and crew engaged in post-screening discussions on the importance of tolerance and representation.
Tonatiuh, reflecting on his personal journey as a queer Latin actor, emphasized the significance of portraying a character who evolves from feeling like a 'loser' to embracing their identity.
Condon and Lopez shared emotional moments, with Lopez crediting Condon for fulfilling her childhood dreams of performing in a movie musical. Both emphasized the transformative power of musical storytelling.
For more coverage of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, visit: Sundance Film Festival Coverage
