Viva (2007/II)

Director:

Anna Biller

Writer:

Anna Biller (writer)

Release Date:

2 May 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Musical

Tagline:

They were housewives seeking kicks, in a world of swingers, orgies, booze and sin that was the sexual revolution!

Plot:

Two suburban couples experiment with sex, drugs and bohemia in early 1970's Los Angeles.

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | Orgy | 1970s | Hippie | Beautiful Woman

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Anna Biller	...	Viva
Jared Sanford	...	Mark
Bridget Brno	...	Sheila
Chad England	...	Rick
Marcus DeAnda	...	Clyde
John Klemantaski	...	Arthur
Paolo Davanzo	...	Elmer
Barry Morse	...	Sherman
Cole Chipman	...	Reeves
Robbin Ryan	...	Agnes
Carole Balkan	...	Mrs. James
Andrea Lain	...	Kelly
Johnny Holiday	...	Mr. Carlisle
Veronica Alicino	...	Miss Marker
Sam Bologna	...	Mr. Humphrey

MPAA:

Rated R for sexual content, nudity and some drug use.

Runtime:

120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:R (2008) | USA:R | UK:18

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Anna Biller Productions

Trivia:

The Japanese Mae West in the orgy scene who says, "Murray, peel me a grape" is 'Anna Biller (I)''s mother, dubbed by Bridget Brno. The guy at the bar in the brown plaid suit behind Rick is Anna's father. He originally had one line as a drunk.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The $50 bill that Clyde gives to Mrs. James is clearly a modern-day "big-head" bill, not a 1970s-vintage currency.

Quotes:

Viva: I want to be called Viva, which in Italy means "to live." Because that's what I want to do now - to live!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "SexTV: Pornscapes/Viva/Forbidden City (#9.25)" (2007)

A sexually frustrated housewife in the 70's decides to step out of her polyester and into a swingin' lifestyle.

VIVA is the first great feature from underground queen of the B's (and Bees if you've seen her work!) Anna Biller. Culminating in four long years of production, VIVA reminds of early studio John Waters efforts filtered through her own Strange Guignol style (wherein lurid set color and mannered acting replaces Grand Guignol's gaudy excess of violence). Many will not "get" the tone and acting styles in this era of Neo-Naturalism, but for those accustomed to having preconceptions gleefully overturned about what is "right and wrong" for a feature film, VIVA is not to be missed. Hightlights for me include: amazing, psychedelia-drenched sets and uber costumes that made me wish the 1970's had ever really achieved such suggested heightened self-awareness; acting done in the "Distanciated" mode advocated by Douglas Sirk but reinterpreted to new depths by Biller; a truly remarkable perf by Bridget Brno as Anna's best friend & living Barbie doll gone Bad Girl (but in a Good Way); and an animated orgasm sequence that is as sublime as it is subliminal. For those who want what is wanting, VIVA is your ticket to ride.