JENNIFER LOPEZ’S LIFELONG DREAM COMES TRUE AT SUNDANCE
Jennifer Lopez, radiant in a sparkling gown and sky-high heels, fought back tears as “Kiss of the Spider Woman” received a standing ovation at the Sundance Film Festival. The musical adaptation, directed by Bill Condon, marked a lifelong dream come true for Lopez.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life,” she said. “The reason I even wanted to be in this business is because my mom would sit me in front of the TV and [‘West Side Story’] would come on once a year. I was mesmerized and was like, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ This is the first time I actually got to do it. This man made my dream come true.”
Condon, a renowned filmmaker for movie musicals, has become synonymous with the genre, having worked on “Chicago,” “Dreamgirls,” and “The Greatest Showman.” The premiere marks his first return to Sundance since 1998’s “Gods and Monsters.”
“Kiss of the Spider Woman,” set in an Argentinian prison during the “Dirty War,” follows queer window dresser Luis Molina (Tonatiuh), who regales his cellmate with vivid stories about his favorite screen diva, Ingrid Luna (Lopez). The film, which debuted at Sundance, is seeking distribution and features a star-studded cast, including Lopez, Tonatiuh, and Diego Luna.
The film, which overflows with razzle dazzle, also sounds a more urgent political note. Condon quoted a line from President Donald Trump’s inauguration speech, highlighting the importance of bridging differences and promoting love and kindness.
Tonatiuh, in his first major film role, spoke about his own response to the story, saying, “Growing up as a fem, queer Latin kid in a culture that doesn’t necessarily praise these things, I fought tooth and nail to put it in people’s faces. But I was told my career would never achieve the lengths I wanted it to because of it. The thing I fought so much to love about myself got stamped out of me.”
The film, which has sparked buzz at Sundance, is a powerful reminder of the importance of love, kindness, and acceptance.