Leonard Schrader.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (website) will be paying tribute to screenwriter Leonard Schrader on May 15 and 16, with the screening of two of Schrader’s best-known films, two flawed but curious 1985 releases: the Academy Award-nominated Kiss of the Spider Woman, which he adapted from Manuel Puig’s play and novel, and Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, co-written and directed by his brother Paul Schrader.
Producer David Weisman, with whom Schrader collaborated on Kiss of the Spider Woman, will host the May 15 tribute at 7:30 pm. The evening will include guest speakers, an audio-visual presentation of selected lobby cards from Schrader’s extensive collection, and a screening of Kiss of the Spider Woman. More details below, from the LACMA press release.
Kiss of the Spider Woman
May 15 | 9 pm | Free admission
For his performance as a Latin American homosexual sharing a cell with a macho revolutionary, William Hurt took home the Best Actor award.
1985/color/118 min. | Scr: Leonard Schrader; dir: Hector Babenco; w/ William Hurt, Raul Julia, Sonia Braga
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters
May 16 | 7:30 pm | Special guest: Paul Schrader
This unique portrait of the controversial, self-styled samurai of postwar Japanese literature applies different styles and moods to depict both the worlds of his novels as well as the torments of his private life. Produced by Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas, the film features a score by Philip Glass. “Outstanding… one of the most artistically courageous films in American cinema.” – David Bordwell
1985/b&w and color/120 min. | Scr: Leonard Schrader, Paul Schrader; dir: Paul Schrader; w/ Ken Ogata