About this episode

The episode discusses the film adaptation of 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' and its themes in relation to today's political climate.

Host Martin Kessler welcomes Felicia Maroni, host of the Seeing Faces in Movies podcast, to talk about a movie. Very appropriate, since the movie they're talking about is Hector Babenco's 1985 adaptation of the Miguel Puig book Kiss of the Spider Woman: a movie about talking about movies. The story of a two men trapped together in a Buenos Aires jail cell, its harsh narrative digresses into the memories of fantastical films seen by Molina, persecuted for his homosexuality, as described to his cellmate, political prisoner Valentin. Martin and Felicia also discuss the original novel and Bill Condon's 2025 adaptation of the stage musical, as well as the story's relevance to today's political climate. Martin Kessler on Twitter: x.com/MovieKessler Felicia Maroni on Twitter: x.com/CineMaroni The Seeing Faces in Movies podcast: seeingfacesinmovies.com

People in this episode

Host: Martin Kessler

Guest: Felicia Maroni

Topics covered

• film analysis
• adaptation
• political themes
• homosexuality
• cinema history

Keywords

• Kiss of the Spider Woman
• Hector Babenco
• Felicia Maroni
• film adaptation
• political prisoner

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Kiss of the Spider Woman, Seeing Faces in Movies

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