Hector Babenco: Last News

Rebecca Rubin Senior Film and Media Reporter “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” a musical remake from director Bill Condon and star Jennifer Lopez, is finally close to finding a buyer after its buzzy Sundance Film Festival premiere in January. Roadside Attractions, Lionsgate and independent studio LD Entertainment are circling domestic rights, though a deal has yet to close. It’s unclear how the trio will work together to roll out the film.

EXCLUSIVE: Bill Condon brings Kiss of the Spider Woman to Sundance for the Sunday night Eccles Theater premiere of the festival’s most eagerly anticipated acquisition title, starring Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna and newcomer Tonatiuh. It has been 27 years since Condon redefined himself after premiering Gods and Monsters, Sundance, 32 years since Kiss of the Spider Woman opened on Broadway and won seven Tony Awards, and 40 years since the original Hector Babenco-directed film drew four Oscar nominations with the late William Hurt winning Best Actor. Condon has written and directed a compelling new version of a tale that is one part vibrant movie musical, and one part prison drama.

Adam B. Vary Senior Entertainment Writer Jennifer Lopez is attached to star in a feature adaptation of the 1993 Broadway musical “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” written and directed by “Dreamgirls” filmmaker Bill Condon, Variety has confirmed with a source close to the production. The music is by legends John Kander and Fred Ebb, based on the novel by Manuel Puig and the book of the musical by Terrence McNally.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent“Island City,” the latest film from “Lower City” director Sérgio Machado, has been acquired for international sales by Edward Noeltner’s Beverly Hills-based Cinema Management Group. Given a current absence of Brazilian movies selected for the Cannes Festival, the acquisition gives CMG one of the most awaited of titles coming out of Brazil this year.It also marks latest title from Brazilian production powerhouse Gullane, whose credits include Cannes Competition players – Hector Babenco’s “Carandiru,” Marco Bellocchio’s “The Traitor”  – as well as Sundance winners, such as Anna Muylaert’s “The Second Mother,” and Berlin Panorama laureates, such as Luis Bolognesi’s “The Last Forest.” Exploring the foibles and failure of manhood, also the focus of “Lower City,” “Inner City” tells what CMG describes as the “captivating” tale of three brothers who end up living under the same roof as middle brother Dalberto’s sensual new wife, Anaira (Sophie Charlotte).When Dalberto (Daniel de Oliveira) has to leave, transporting a mysterious passenger up the Amazon to Peru, a despondent Anaira seeks comfort in the company of other brothers Armando (Gabriel Leone) and Dalmo (Romulo Braga).