Jennifer Lopez Breaks Down in Tears at Emotional Sundance Premiere of ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’

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Bill Condon, a multiple Oscar-winner known for his films at the Sundance Film Festival, returned to Park City to unveil his latest musical movie, titled “Kiss of the Spider Woman“, at Eccles Center Theatre on Sunday evening. As the final credits concluded, the emotionally stirred Jennifer Lopez shed tears, and a packed audience bestowed two standing ovations upon him. The performance by Tonatiuh was so captivating that it launched his stardom.

Given the background of its director — Condon has previously helmed musicals like “Dreamgirls” and “Beauty and the Beast,” and penned the Academy Award-winning “Chicago” — and the fact that it features a global icon portraying multiple roles, including the title character, “Spider-Woman” was one of the most eagerly awaited premieres at Sundance this year. In his assessment, David Rooney, chief film critic for The Hollywood Reporter, ranks it among Jennifer Lopez’s finest performances in her long-spanning career.

At her first festival appearance, Lopez gracefully walked the red carpet at Eccles in a dazzling spiderweb dress designed by Valdrin Sahiti, perfectly mirroring her performance that exuded classic Hollywood elegance and captivating choreography which elicited numerous rounds of applause following the movie’s grand musical scenes.

Initially, the character “Spider Woman” emerged from various adaptations: a 1976 novel penned by Argentinian author Manuel Puig, a movie adaptation in 1985, and eventually a Broadway musical that earned a Tony award in 1993. The narrative revolves around two inmates, Valentíno (Luna), a political detainee with aspirations to overthrow the dictatorship, and Molina (Tonatiuh), a cross-dressing window dresser serving time for indecent exposure in public. As they while away their days together, Molina shares stories about a musical film he adores, featuring his idol Ingrid Luna (Lopez).

As a gamer, I found myself immersed in this film, its unique narrative and non-binary protagonist, at a tense moment in American politics. It was only days after the new President, Donald Trump, made a firm, transphobic statement about gender identity. Stepping up to the plate, director Condon addressed the audience before the opening scene, bravely tackling the recent political climate head-on.

One key theme in the movie is the effort to overcome the vast, challenging divisions that frequently keep us apart. In line with this idea, I’d like to share a statement made recently: Beginning today, it is now U.S. government policy to recognize only two genders: male and female, as determined at birth and unchangeable, according to Condon, who faced disapproval from the audience.

A round of enthusiastic clapping ensued as he presented his response: “Actually, the film seems to take a different stance on that. For me, what truly matters is finding a way to overcome these differences, and I believe this movie suggests – and I hope it resonates with you – that the path forward lies in compassion and affection.

As I sat through the post-screening Q&A, guided by festival director Eugene Hernandez, it all started with a pair of standing ovations that echoed through the hall. “This is something I’ll always remember,” Condon shared as they stepped into the spotlight.

Just like Lopez, the entertainer expressed, “I’ve been eagerly anticipating this moment for my entire life.” The performer shared that when discussions revolve around the significance of musicals, their desire to join the entertainment industry was ignited by their mother playing West Side Story on TV annually during Thanksgiving. The sight of it left them spellbound, and they aspired to follow in the characters’ footsteps. That ambition has always been their objective, and for the first time, they have the opportunity to fulfill it.

The situation reminded her of the esteemed alumni from Spider Woman, including Chita Rivera, Fred Ebb, and Terrance McNally, and all the heartfelt affection they invested in it.

Afterward, Hernandez praised Tonatiuh’s captivating act on stage, who assumes two characters within the movie. “It’s great to meet you,” Hernandez said with applause from the audience. A graduate of USC film school, Tonatiuh has appeared in previous works such as Vida, Promised Land, and the recent Netflix sensation, Carry-On.

Following this, Hernandez commended Tonatiuh’s eye-opening portrayal in the film where he takes on two roles. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance,” said Hernandez, as the crowd cheered. Tonatiuh, a USC film school alum, has previously been recognized in productions like Vida, Promised Land, and the recent Netflix smash hit, Carry-On.

Professor Drew Casper frequently screened ‘Singing in the Rain’ during his classes, and this was the moment the actor became enamored with the genre. Years later, he found himself returning to that Wednesday session even after graduation, simply to watch it again. The magic of Gene Kelly and the silver screen stars, the movies I had always longed to be a part of, musicals in particular – now, here we stand.

Later on, Hernandez steered the conversation towards Condon’s initial remarks concerning the recent declaration by the U.S. government. Condon shared that there had been debates about whether or not releasing such a film was appropriate during an election period. “It was evident before the election that for quite some time, transgender individuals were being exploited as pawns in the culture war,” he clarified. He added, “It seemed like this issue would persist regardless of the outcome, and it wouldn’t simply disappear. The movie’s appeal lies in the hope that people can mature beyond these prejudices and perceive each other as individuals.

Later on, Condon discussed his 2004 film titled “Kinsey“, focusing on the renowned sex researcher Alfred Kinsey. He emphasized that Kinsey’s most groundbreaking concept wasn’t the Kinsey scale, but rather the idea that each person’s sexuality is as unique as a fingerprint. According to him, true emancipation lies in recognizing individuals for who they are, not by labels.

Lopez expanded his perspective: “Love has a unique ability to bridge divides among people. As you suggest, we can regard one another as distinct individuals, people, or simply fellow human beings, disregarding personal preferences, political opinions, and other differences. In essence, there’s another person, a human being, standing before you, and it is guaranteed that you will discover common ground with them. We are both human, we both possess hearts, and this shared humanity, to me, was the powerful message in the movie that compelled me to be involved.

It was personal for Tonatiuh.

Grown up as a proudly queer Latin individual, assigned female at birth in a society that often overlooks those identities, I vividly recall my determination as a youngster to express my femininity boldly. However, I was frequently warned that my career aspirations might never reach their full potential due to my gender expression. In an industry that struggled with complexity, my cherished aspect of myself was almost extinguished.

When I stumbled upon this piece, I felt a profound connection—a spiritual resonance. I recognized someone who, much like me, had once felt insignificant in their own mind but transformed into the protagonist of their tale by embracing love.

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2025-01-27 08:55