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Kiss of the Spider Woman (Eng 12 14497 THX-1)

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Kiss of the Spider Woman (Eng 12 14497 THX-1)

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Identify your favorite scenes in the movie, Kiss of the Spider Woman. Take a screenshot of your favorite scene and paste the photo on this tablet. With your photo, answer the following questions:

1.        Why does this photo capture your favorite scene in Kiss of the Spider Woman?

2.        What makes this scene special in the film?

3.        How relevant is the prison world in shaping the desire shared between Valentin Arregui and Luis Molina?

Directions:

·      Answer the guide questions in one paragraph within 100-250 words.

·      Make sure that you include a photo of your favorite scene.

·      Ensure also that your name is included in your Padlet submission.

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Valentin and Molina Vulnerable Bed Scene (VARGAS, Clydedale "Geno")

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Valentin and Molina Vulnerable Bed Scene (VARGAS, Clydedale "Geno")

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This scene where Valentine and Molina are about to make love is the most beautiful for me because not only it evokes their deep desire for a life of freedom and happiness with their lovers (Molina still waiting for one), but also because this is a moment of vulnerability for both of them– to not only share said-desire through emotional and physical consummation, but also attempt in grasping, gaining, and living that desire together even if it’s only for a night. This night is their night of living their “movie” in their cold reality behind bars. Additionally, Molina’s character and ideals changed after this turning point, causing the birth of her independence and ambitions, which is also the cause of her demise. It’s important as well to highlight how the prison molded their reality, and made them realize what they truly desire in this revolutionary period: As people who revolt, you would expect that their desires are for the country, but what they actually desire in the end is for personal means; Paralleling with Lenny and Vernon’s Romeo and Juliet situation, this makes us realize how life in solitude and helplessness brings out the true aspirations of humans. Reflecting on the movie, It’s scary to think of living a life where you would turn out having no choice but to makeshift a reality for yourself like Valentin and Molina did in this scene.

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Leni Dies as a Result of Her Betrayal (ALAAN, Mariel)

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Leni Dies as a Result of Her Betrayal (ALAAN, Mariel)

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My favorite scene in “Kiss of the Spider Woman” is when Leni dies from a gunshot by the Head of the Resistance as a result of her betrayal to her country. This is my favorite scene because of how special it is; because of how it accurately mirrors Luis Molina’s betrayal. Similar to Leni, Luis was a spy instructed to extract information from Valentin. However, like Leni, Luis fell in love with “the enemy” and chose to betray their mission in the name of love. As a result of their actions both Leni and Luis died. For me, the parallels between this scene in Luis’ movie and what would eventually happen to him later on are what make this scene in the film so special. Not to mention, Luis’ love for Valentin only blossomed because of their forced interactions with each other. From being in a tight prison cell in the prison world, the two prisoners had no choice but to interact and get to know each other. Without this, the camaraderie and later attraction between the two would not have blossomed. In short, the setting of the movie played a vital role in its plot.

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Molina's Silent Defiance (REGALA, Tricia)

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Molina's Silent Defiance (REGALA, Tricia)

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Perhaps the scene that did it for me was the one shown in the photo: Molina keeping his mouth shut, choosing not to reveal the phone number of Valentin's comrade in the face of death. The act, in itself, was powerful. After all, his silence was a mark of resistance and a declaration of bravery that nobody expected him to display. But what made it more impactful, personally, was knowing the weight of Molina's conviction that ultimately led him to commit such valor.

The prison had been a reminder for both Molina and Valentin that they were at their lowest. It was a place that laid bare their most vulnerable states, which had never been something they wanted to disclose to someone with a contrasting ideology, no less. The prison was oppressive, so it had never been a good place; they only learned to tolerate it when they started confronting and reconciling their contrasting perspectives.

Molina and Valentin's bond, founded upon stripped sincerity, became the only good thing that happened inside the prison cell and the catalyst for Molina's profound transformation. Before he left the confines, Molina confessed that the police terrified him, yet his love for Valentin overwhelmed the horror. For me, his defiance was his answer to Valentin's plea to never let anyone exploit him ever again. It is hauntingly beautiful that in his silence, Molina spoke the loudest.

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Molina and Valentin Have their "Feast" (ALONSO, Charisse)

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Molina and Valentin Have their "Feast" (ALONSO, Charisse)

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In this scene, Molina brings to him and Valentin's cell, groceries he says he received from his "mother" but actually come from the warden. This picture perfectly captures their contentment with the abundance of food especially after constantly suffering from the poisoned prison food being handed to them everyday. Although this scene is not as moving or significant as the others, I found myself smiling throughout this portion of the film because it serves as a moment of relief for the two characters amidst the dark and gruesome state that they are in. We see more of Molina's generosity and caring attitude as he willingly shares the food he has acquired with Valentin, even giving him more. On top of that, it is in this scene where Valentin eventually requests for another one of Molina's stories, signifying their strengthened relationship and his reciprocated enthusiasm. This scene emphasizes how being in a prison allows people to cherish the minor things in life. As the main characters share a relatively simple meal, they realize that they haven't felt this good in a while and appreciate it as if it were a big feast. Furthermore, they developed a sense of gratitude in this prison through the little acts of kindness they exchange between one another, deepening their admiration for each other.

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Valentin and Molina Shares a Box of Assorted Bon Bons (TAN, Maxene)

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Valentin and Molina Shares a Box of Assorted Bon Bons (TAN, Maxene)

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My favorite scene from the movie has got to be this moment where they share a box of assorted bon bons. This was the second time that he brought food that was given to him by his "mother." Although it was all part of Molina's plan to make Valentin open up more about his personal life, it was still a sweet moment to witness how their bond has transformed from barely tolerating each other's presence to opening up about their vulnerabilities. They were so in-sync with each other to the point that Valentin did not even have to ask Molina to light his cigarette for him, as shown in this scene. What made it even more special was the fact that this was their second to the last bonding moment before Molina had to be transferred to a different cell in 24 hours due to him being up for parole. It was at this moment that they decided to make the most of their last day together as cellmates and when Molina tells the story of the spider woman.

Through this moment, you realize how living in a prison world shapes the relationship and desire between two people, like Molina and Valentin. They only had each other to rely on to survive every day and night in the cramped prison cell. Naturally, they started seeing past their differences and began appreciating the comfort and care each gives to the other, thus blossoming into a relationship deeper than anyone can ever imagine.

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"Enjoy what life offers you." Molina Offering Valentin a Bite from his Bowl (INAFUKU, Aya)

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"Enjoy what life offers you." Molina Offering Valentin a Bite from his Bowl (INAFUKU, Aya)

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The powerful dynamic between the two main characters are depicted subtly in this scene, where Molina simply offers Valentin a bite from her bowl of avocados. Valentin refuses due to the fact that he “cannot afford to get spoiled” in his life that is full of “struggle” and pain. Molina continues to insist and encourages him to “enjoy what life offers.” It is a scene that I am very fond of because it shows the complexity of these two characters through beautifully crafted dialogue, and at the same time, it successfully reveals their clashing personalities and perspectives in life.
This scene is crucial in the story because it shows how they saw the world before their clashing personalities eventually became intertwined and integral to one another. Eventually, Molina shows Valentin the "beauty" in life despite the struggles; and Valentin teaches Molina that there is a "purpose" in life that is worth fighting for.

The setting of them being isolated in prison together successfully creates an opportunity for them to run into storytelling and experience a sense of escapism from the pain and prejudice they encounter not only in jail but also in their everyday reality. Furthermore, prison allowed them to go beyond escapism and form their own sense of reality. A reality where they are able to experience acceptance, love, comfort and trust and fully enjoy what life has to offer.

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Revelation of Molina's True Motives (PAET, Nicole)

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Revelation of Molina's True Motives (PAET, Nicole)

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During this scene in the movie, Molina is called in by the authorities of the prison which revealed his true motives and the nature of his character in the movie.  It is my favorite scene since after this, I understood more about Molina's character and his motivations and biases. This scene effectively conveys his initial compliance with the officers as a survival tactic and his desperation to gain freedom and return to his mother. Moreover, this scene also served as a foreshadowing in the film as it sets up the moral and ethical dilemmas that Molina will face concerning the freedom he yearns and his developed affection for Valentin. While the two characters didn’t have a very close relationship in the beginning of the movie, they grew more fond of each other as time progressed. This shows how the prison's isolation fosters an intense bond between them by relying on each other for emotional support and companionship, deepening their relationship in ways unlikely outside the prison. The oppressive environment they live in also allowed them to see a shared humanity and empathy, putting away their defenses and allowing a genuine connection to form between them.

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Molina’s Act of Service (MARTE, Stephany) 

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Molina’s Act of Service (MARTE, Stephany) 

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This photo captures my favorite scene in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" because it represents Molina's altruism towards Valentin. Valentin, a political prisoner tortured for his revolutionary activities, is juxtaposed with Molina, a queer, apolitical man. The scene is memorable as it unfolds against the backdrop of Valentin's suffering and ideological struggle, highlighting Molina's humanity. Despite Valentin's anger and blame, after discovering the torture of a fellow member and later suffering from food poisoning, Molina sets aside personal grievances to care for him. This act of compassion and forgiveness signifies prioritizing another's well-being over personal resentment. The prison world shapes their evolving bond, transforming an initial clash of personalities into a profound connection. What begins as a superficial contest reveals deeper layers of desire and choice, transcending sexual boundaries to explore themes of freedom and enslavement. This dynamic underscores the complexity and depth of their relationship, framed within the harsh realities behind bars.

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Martha and Valentin run towards the sea.

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The Reunion of Martha and Valentin in Paradise (MARQUINA, Sofia Mikaela)

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The Reunion of Martha and Valentin in Paradise (MARQUINA, Sofia Mikaela)

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Martha and Valentin soon reunite after the latter’s implied death by morphine administration. The couple is seen running hand-in-hand towards a beautiful sandy beach—a presumed symbolism for the paradise after death. The complexity of this scene captured my attention, leading me to ask, “What does this possibly say about the relationship between Molina and Valentin?”

The shared feelings of isolation and longing for freedom has served as common ground between Valentin and Molina. As the story progressed, they came to understand the other’s worldview and eventually, the long held desire and tension they felt with each other led to the consummation of their relationship. If only walls could stalk, I can say that the prison cell they stayed in is the room where everything happened.

Going back to the image, a man and a woman is running towards their happy ending. It led me to think about the mainstream notion of romantic relationships, one shared traditionally a man and a woman. This is not bad, but it leads me to wonder about the media representation of homosexual individuals who are stereotypically depicted as martyrs, used as comedic relief, and undeserving of genuine love. Has what was shared between Molina and Valentin reduced to a mere transactional affair? Despite the progressive stances brought about time, perhaps we still have to overcome the generational internalized homophobia held by people.

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The Consummation of Molina and Valentin (DE GUZMAN, Amber)

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The Consummation of Molina and Valentin (DE GUZMAN, Amber)

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This is probably one of, if not my favorite scene in the entire movie as it represents the culmination of Molina's and Valentin's interactions within their prison cell. We see an extremely tender and vulnerable moment for the two characters, and the storytelling is tastefully executed by simply cutting to the candle and blowing out the light. This scene is really special to me because, throughout the film, we see the characters challenge each other's beliefs—particularly Molina challenging Valentin's idea of what a man is (there is one scene where he asks him, "what is a real man?"). And here, we see that Valentin's idea of manhood has changed, and how the interactions between the two characters has shaped their relationship at this point. What really strikes me about this scene is how, despite the awful living conditions they are in, love still finds a way to blossom even within the confines of a prison cell. It is a desire both Molina and Valentin share: to love and be loved. And in this scene, we see that the prison world has allowed them to share this desire through consummation.

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Valentin and Molina solidifying their bond (CABALES, Beatrice)

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Valentin and Molina solidifying their bond (CABALES, Beatrice)

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I loved this scene because it was generally where both of them were comfortable and they are now showing their vulnerable side, being able to finally open up to each other while also allowing them to seek comfort from each other. This scene is special because we could see how far the two characters have come. In the first parts of the film, Valentin would be cold towards Molina and they would stay away from each other however as the movie progressed and Molina continued his acts of goodness, their chemistry improved and now they are here. The prison world limited them to their own cell and they were forced to be with each other but with the limited space that they have and with their own inner good still being existent, the prison did not influence them in a bad way and they improved their bond.

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Freedom Behind Bars: Valentin and Molina Forming a Deeper Connection (CENDAÑA, Gab)

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Freedom Behind Bars: Valentin and Molina Forming a Deeper Connection (CENDAÑA, Gab)

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I found the scene where Luis Molina took care of Valentin Arregui incredibly profound. I believe this scene marked a turning point in their relationship. Valentin was in so much pain that his mental and emotional walls were completely demolished. He became more accepting of Molina’s kindness, which he refused plenty of times before. Seeing how genuine Molina was towards him in his most vulnerable state allowed Valentin to not only share more about his past, but to also confront his deepest fears. That despite his fight for the beliefs of his revolutionary group, he doesn’t want to be martyr. His heartbreaking whisper that he doesn’t want to die does suggest a surprising reluctance towards living solely for the cause. That a part of him laments how much he sacrificed for the group, including his chance to be with his love, Marta. Molina, on the other hand, got to see beyond Valentin's stoic facade and know him on a deeper level. This is probably what sparked the connection he felt to his cellmate. The irony of building a relationship within a space that seeks to isolate humans from society is not lost on me. But maybe such is possible because the prison is without oppressors. Although both characters are physically trapped inside a cell, they also remain trapped by societal norms and political issues outside the prison world. Inside this small, filthy space that aims to cage, they have the freedom to love, laugh, and be themselves.

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Molina's affection towards Valentin (KRISNER, Leanndra)

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Molina's affection towards Valentin (KRISNER, Leanndra)

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Choosing one from multiple scenes I’ve come to appreciate was definitely difficult to do; however, this one particular scene truly struck me the most. I guess it was the highlight in the contrast of both Molina and Valentin’s character that despite Valentin’s aggressiveness and short-tempered nature, Molina still had the kindness in her heart to truly show that she cared for Valentin. Even though Valentin constantly reprimands her to become more like a “man” just as how “he was born”, Molina never held a grudge and instead she showed how much she cared for Valentin when he got sick. In this scene, we can also see how Molina’s warmth——symbolically and quite literally (through the hot cup of tea), also pierced through Valentin’s character. It's a pivotal moment where he begins to acknowledge and appreciate Molina's character, allowing himself to be vulnerable with her. He opens up about his true feelings and sentiments, revealing a deeper connection between them. The prison environment molds Valentin and Molina's longing via mutual isolation, nurturing intimacy and imaginative escape. Their shared captivity fosters vulnerability, intensifying emotional ties. Dependence within prison confines fortifies their connection, as they lean on each other for comfort and camaraderie, transcending societal expectations to find solace in their mutual predicament.

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Valentin Asks About Molina’s Movie (PERILLA, Renee)

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Valentin Asks About Molina’s Movie (PERILLA, Renee)

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Although quite inconsequential, my favorite scene from Kiss of the Spider Woman is when Valentin asks Molina about his movie as the latter curls up in pain from his stomach ache. Upon my viewing of the movie’s first half, I had admittedly rooted for these two characters to form a bond knowing that they are stuck together in one prison cell. I had thought then that such an enclosed setting could also become intimate: to live through the entirety of one’s daily functions with another person enforces a sense of vulnerability and openness whether they liked it or not. This extended beyond the physical, involving the mental aspect too, for being imprisoned is a result of a crime or wrongdoing. There is the knowledge for both of them that the other is a fellow bottom dweller; someone who has been deemed “wrong” by the fascist government. Though they are radically different in belief and identity, the two undeniably develop a special bond. Thus, my favorite scene is this simple sequence because, to me, it symbolized the first instance of reciprocity; finally, Valentin is unable to deny his care for Molina by tending to his sickness and showing interest in his movie.

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The Turning Point: Vulnerability and Connection (UNABIA, Sydney Ashley)

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The Turning Point: Vulnerability and Connection (UNABIA, Sydney Ashley)

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My favorite scene in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985) is when Valentin gets a second bout of food poisoning after consuming tampered prison food. The reason behind it being what this very image paints: Valentin, forced into a state of vulnerability, letting go of his pride and allowing Molina to help him through it. It’s the first domino that causes all the other pieces to fall—what urges Valentin into laying himself bare for Molina, literally in this scene and metaphorically in each one that follows. He tells Molina about Lydia, about Marta, about the assignment that got him arrested, about his doubts in his philosophy and fear of dying, and so on. Valentin lets his walls down and their relationship flourishes—all because of that little incident. Things become even more poetic when you consider that what caused Valentin’s bowel mishap is Molina making him laugh. All that being said, the setting they inhabit throughout the majority of the film played a key factor in both of them opening up to each other, as well as spurred on their desires. Forced proximity in a hostile environment left them no choice but to turn to each other at first, but as the story progressed, the trust between them deepened to the point where they deliberately cared for one another, proven by Molina doing Valentin a favor once he got out of the prison, despite being a “free man”, at the cost of his own life.

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Molina's confession of love to Valentin (CHUA, Chloe)

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Molina's confession of love to Valentin (CHUA, Chloe)

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Throughout the film, we follow the relationship between Luis Molina and Valentin Arregui, as two polarizing characters who bond through the albeit contrasting things they confide in each other within the shared solace they find in their cell. The two are opposites in absolute ways—Luis being very sensitive and feminine and Valentin being hardened. Within their cell shows an integration of their antithetical passions, love and politics, It is in this scene that where we find the two forces unite, blurring the lines between a true connection or a bond by forced proximity. The lack of clarity, however, speaks to the depth of their tie, as their vulnerability amidst the darkness and tense prison cell, they met in the middle despite how much they’ve challenged each other. As illustrated by this shot, Valentin who holds Luis as Luis looks away captures how much they have strayed from their initial positions—how much they’ve changed in love with each other.