In Praise of Older Women (1978 film)
In Praise of Older Women is George Kaczender’s twelfth feature film. It was written by Stephen Vizinczey (novel), Paul Gottlieb and Barrie Wexler. The story happens in Hungary during and after World War II but the movie was shot in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The film was premiered at the Toronto Festival of Festivals on September 14, 1978.
| In Praise of Older Women | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | George Kaczender |
| Produced by | Robert Lantos Claude Héroux |
| Written by | Stephen Vizinczey (novel) Paul Gottlieb Barrie Wexler |
| Starring | Tom Berenger Karen Black Susan Strasberg Helen Shaver Marilyn Lightstone Alexandra Stewart |
| Music by | Tibor Polgár |
| Cinematography | Miklós Lente |
| Edited by | George Kaczender Peter Wintonick |
| Distributed by | AVCO Embassy Pictures (US) Warner Bros. (France) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 110 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English French |
Plot
András Vayda (Tom Berenger) grows up in a turbulent, war-torn Hungary, where he procures local girls for the occupying G.I.s during World War II. Disappointed by the girls his age, he meets Maya (Karen Black), a married woman in her 30s, who tutors him in love and romance. Maya is only the first of many mature women whom András will meet through his teenage and young adult life.
Cast
- Tom Berenger as András Vayda
- Karen Black as Maya
- Susan Strasberg as Bobbie
- Helen Shaver as Ann MacDonald
- Marilyn Lightstone as Klari
- Alexandra Stewart as Paula
- Marianne McIsaac as Julika
- Alberta Watson as Mitzi
- Ian Tracey as Andras Vajda Jr
- Monique Lepage as The Countess
- Louise Marleau as Woman in Elevator
- Henry Ramer, Narrator (voice)
Reception
Before its release, the Ontario Film Review Board demanded the removal of a 35 second sex scene from the film. However, the original cut of the film was shown during the Toronto International Film Festival, and despite a subway strike and a rainstorm, hundreds of people waited outside the Elgin Theatre to see the film.[1] According to some sources, counterfeit tickets were distributed, and a riot almost formed as ticket holders were turned away.[1][2]
Accolades
| Award | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Film Awards, 1978[3] | Art Direction (Feature) | Wolf Kroeger | Won |
| Performance by a Lead Actress (Feature) | Helen Shaver | Won | |
| Supporting Actress (Feature) | Marilyn Lightstone | Won | |
| Cinematography (Feature) | Miklós Lente | Won |
Certification
Australia: R / Canada: 18A / Finland: K-18 / Iceland: 16 / Netherlands: 16 / Sweden: 15 / UK: 18 / USA: R
See also
- En brazos de la mujer madura (1997)
External links
References
- David Berry (September 3, 2015). "TIFF: An oral history". National Post. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- "Fun facts about TIFF". CBC News. September 3, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
- "Awards Database". Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. April 8, 2014. Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2015.