Buy Law of Desire: A Queer Film Classic

Law of Desire: A Queer Film Classic

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Synopsis

Law of Desire, one of three inaugural titles in Arsenal Pulp Press' new film book series Queer Film Classics, focuses on the 1987 homoerotic melodrama by Pedro Almodóvar, Spain's most successful contemporary film director.

The film Law of Desire is a grand tale of love, lust, and amnesia featuring three main characters: a gay film director (played by Eusebio Poncela); his sister, an actress who was once his brother (Carmen Maura); and a repressed, obsessive stalker (a young Antonio Banderas). In the twenty-plus years since its first release, Law of Desire has been acknowledged as redefining the way in which cinema can portray the difficult affective relationships between homosexuality, gender, and sex. Taking his cue from the golden age of Latin American, American, and European melodrama, Almodóvar created a sentimental yet hard-edged film that believes in the utopian possibilities for new relationships that redeem people from their despair. Since its release, Almodóvar has become an Oscar-winning filmmaker who regularly delves into issues of sexuality, gender, and identity.

This book examines the political and social context in which Almodóvar created Law of Desire, as well as its impact on LGBT cinema both in Europe and around the world.

Review

I have already reviewed the film Law of Desire but after getting the Arsenal Pulp edition in Queer Film Classic series, I feel I should go back and revise my review. I learned a great deal from Jose Quiroja's little book. Originally produced in 1987, Law of Desire is a homoerotic melodrama by Pedro Almodovar who since become a very famous and familiar name in the world of film.

The movie is a story of lust, love and amnesia and revolves around three main characters--a gay film director, Pablo Quintero (Eusbio Poncela), his repressed stalker, Antonio Benitez (Antonio Banderas) and an actress who was once his brother, Tina Quintero (Carmen Maura). Law of Desire was one of the first films to actually show the audience the relationship between (homo)sexuality, gender and sex. This was one of Almodovar's first film hits and with it he gives us a sentimental film that is also very hard-edged. He shows that relationships can keep people from desperation and this was the film that opened the door for Almodovar to continue to deal with the same issues for a larger cinema viewing public. Quiroga looks carefully at the politics and society of the period in which the film was made and shows how it has impacted GLBT film universally. Along with the synopsis of the film, he gives us an introduction to queer melodrama as well as references we can go to in order to learn more. This is a wonderful addition to the study of film and especially for the new queer cinema.

-- Amos Lassen

Product Format Information

Book Trade Paperback: $12.99

Availability: Usually ships in
5-10 days
ISBN: 9781551522623
Catalog #: BT2913442

Publisher : Arsenal Pulp Press

Customer Reviews

A Queer Melodrama

Amos Lassen wrote on 04/11/2011:

I have already reviewed the film "Law of Desire" but after getting the Arsenal Pulp edition in Queer Film Classic series, I feel I should go back and revise my review. I learned a great deal from Jose Quiroja's little book. Originally produced in 1987, "Law of Desire" is a homoerotic melodrama by Pedro Almodovar who since become a very famous and familiar name in the world of film.
The movie is a story of lust, love and amnesia and revolves around three main characters--a gay film director, Pablo Quintero
(Eusbio Poncela), his repressed stalker, Antonio Benitez (Antonio Banderas) and an actress who was once his brother, Tina Quintero (Carmen Maura). "Law of Desire" was one of the first films to actually show the audience the relationship between (homo)sexuality, gender and sex. This was one of Almodovar's first film hits and with it he gives us a sentimental film that is also very hard-edged. He shows that relationships can keep people from desperation and this was the film that opened the door for Almodovar to continue to deal with the same issues for a larger cinema viewing public.
Quiroga looks carefully at the politics and society of the period in which the film was made and shows how it has impacted GLBT film universally. Along with the synopsis of the film, he gives us an introduction to queer melodrama as well as references we can go to in order to learn more. This is a wonderful addition to the study of film and especially for the new queer cinema.