Labyrinth of Passion (1982)

Synopsis: In LABYRINTH OF PASSION, Celia Roth (who over a decade later would star in Pedro Almodóvar's Oscar-winning ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER) portrays Sexi, a nymphomaniac punk rocker whose gynecologist father... In LABYRINTH OF PASSION, Celia Roth (who over a decade later would star in Pedro Almodóvar's Oscar-winning ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER) portrays Sexi, a nymphomaniac punk rocker whose gynecologist father (Fernando Vivanco) specializes in artificial insemination. Spanish heartthrob Imanol Arias is Riza Niro, the gay son of the Emperor of Tehran, who has fled his father's island exile to have some fun in Madrid. The two meet and eventually fall in love, but that's just the tip of the iceberg in this whirlwind comedy. This was only Almodóvar's second film, but already he shows undeniable genius for mixing layered storylines and touching characterizations with fearlessly transgressive eroticism. Homosexuality, orgies, drugs, incest, and drag queens--Almodóvar embraces them all. LABYRINTH OF PASSION is a cult favorite in Spain, where it is regularly revived in midnight screenings, and deserves discovery from American audiences unafraid to try something unusual and exciting. A very young Antonio Banderas plays one of Riza's lovers. Look for Almodóvar himself as lead singer of a band in one of the film's hilarious concert scenes, singing "Grang Ganga" and "Suck it to Me." [More]

Starring: Celia Roth, Imanol Arias, Antonio Banderas

Starring: Celia Roth, Imanol Arias, Antonio Banderas

Director: Pedro Almodóvar

Director: Pedro Almodóvar

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