Phantom of the Paradise
Dir: Brian De Palma
USA, 1974, 92minmins, DCP
Cast: Paul Williams, William Finley, Jessica Harper
Before The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Brian De Palma wrote and directed this campy Faustian backstage musical-comedy – complete with Frankenstein-esque drag number – about a rock-and-roll producer’s (Paul Williams) pact with the devil. De Palma combines The Phantom of the Opera and The Picture of Dorian Gray into a phantasmagoric satire on the carnal indulgences and excesses in the music industry, and sprinkles it with nods to Hitchcock (Psycho), German Expressionist cinema (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, 1920) and the history of pop music: from 1950s doo-wop and ’60s surf beat to ’70s glam rock. The opening narration by Rod Serling sets the tone for the Twilight Zone-like madness.
Further reading:
From Spieler, review of Phantom of the Paradise, From For Keeps: 30 Years at the Movies by Pauline Kael (New York: Plume, 1996)
Screening:
In-theatre Screening
2017-03-04 (Sat)
21:302017-03-28 (Tue)
21:30
Remarks
- On-the-day Ticket Purchase Arrangement : Tickets are available at URBTIX outlets until one hour before the screening, after which tickets are available at URBTIX website and mobile app. On-the-day tickets will also be available at the Self-service Ticketing Kiosk of the respective venue, subject to availability.
- Unless otherwise stated, all films (except English-speaking films) are subtitled in English.
- While it is the HKIFFS’s policy to secure the best possible print of the original version for all its screenings, the HKIFFS appreciates its patrons’ understanding on occasions when less than perfect screening copies are screened.
