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AN EVENING WITH KEN RUSSELL and BARRY SANDLER featuring CRIMES OF PASSION USA, 1984, 107 Min Directed by KEN RUSSELL |
In 1984, legendary British filmmaker Ken Russell shocked the world with this dark, twisted tale of sexual role-playing. In adapting Barry Sandler's daring, complex study of character duality and psychosexual facades among shattered American souls, Russell created a work of electrifying boldness and insight that stunned and divided audiences in its initial release. Slapped with an X rating seven times before finally being released in this country in a truncated R version that Russell and Sandler both disowned, the film finally found favor in Europe and on video/DVD in the U.S. in Russell's X cut, and has in subsequent years become a cult classic sensation. The festival is proud to show one of only two existing 35mm prints in the world of Ken Russell's original uncut version of the film that won Kathleen Turner the 1984 L.A. Film Critics Best Actress award for her extraordinary performance, that she herself has deemed the best work of her career, and that noted film critic Peter Travers hailed as "one of the most original, funny movies about sex in years."
Director Ken Russell and screenwriter/producer Barry Sandler will appear after the screening of this shocking, controversial, profoundly disturbing film.
Seeing my screenplay brought to uncompromising life by the staggering visionary genius of Ken Russell, and working with him to witness it, was the most exciting, creative, rewarding experience of my career.
Barry Sandler, screenwriter/producer, CRIMES OF PASSION
