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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)
      21:30
      2017-03-28 (Tue)
      21:30

    Remarks

    1. Unless otherwise stated, all films (except English-speaking films) are subtitled in English.

    2. Screenings at ALL commercial cinemas: Tickets are available at URBTIX till 5pm one day before respective screening, after which tickets will be available only at the box office of the respective venue on the day of screening, subject to availability.

    3. Screenings at HK Arts Centre: Tickets are available at URBTIX outlets until one hour before the screening, after which tickets will be available at URBTIX website or mobile app. On-the-day tickets are also available at the Self-service Ticketing Kiosk of the venue. Ticketing services for respective screening will not be available once the screening begins.

    4. Screenings at M+ Cinema: No tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets are available at URBTIX outlets until one hour before the screening, after which tickets will be available at URBTIX website or mobile app only. Ticketing services for respective screening will not be available after the screening begins.

    5. 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.

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