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Orlando
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Synopsis
Independent filmmaker Sally Potter's gender-bending epic, which views four centuries of sexual politics through the eyes of a sex-switching main character, is based on the 1928 novel by Virginia Woolf. The androgynous title character is played with delicate quietude by Tilda Swinton. The story begins during the reign of the aging Queen Elizabeth I (Quentin Crisp, in a droll turn recalling his The Naked Civil Servant). Queen Elizabeth takes a shine to the attractive young Orlando and seeks out his sexual favors. In return, Elizabeth grants him a large estate, commanding him, "Do not fade, do not wither, do not grow old." Orlando takes the queen at her word and doesn't. When Elizabeth dies, Orlando becomes attracted to Sasha (Charlotte Valandrey), the daughter of a Russian diplomat, but she rebuffs his advances. Crushed, Orlando accepts an ambassadorship to Constantinople. After witnessing the killing of a man in battle, Orlando undergoes a change of sex, becoming a woman and returning to England, where she hobnobs with 18th-century geniuses like Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, and John Addison. Walking through a garden labyrinth, the time frame shifts to the 19th century, and Orlando falls in love with a handsome American (Billy Zane). Now in the 20th century, Orlando gives birth to his child and continues on. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Cast

Lothaire Bluteau The Khan
Quentin Crisp Elizabeth I
Peter Eyre Mr. Pope
Jimmy Somerville Falsetto/Angel
Dudley Sutton James I
Tilda Swinton Orlando
Charlotte Valandrey Sasha
Heathcote Williams Nick Greene/Publisher
Billy Zane Shelmerdine
John Wood Archduke Harry

Production Crew

Michael Buchanan Art Director
Michael Howells Art Director
Martine Kelly Associate Producer
Virginia Woolf Book Author
Alex Rodionov Cinematographer
Sally Potter Composer (Music Score)
Sandy Powell Costume Designer
Sally Potter Director
Herve Schneid Editor
Christopher Sheppard Producer
Laurie Borg Producer
Ben Van Os Production Designer
Jan Roelfs Production Designer
Sally Potter Screenwriter
Christopher Hobbs Set Designer
Year: 1993
Runtime: 93
Country: France
MPAA Rating: PG13
for some sensuality
Category: Feature

Genre
Drama
Fantasy

Color type
Eastmancolor

Produced by
Adventure Pictures
British Screen
Lenfilm Studio
Mikado Film
Rio Film
Sigma Films
Sony Pictures Classics

Awards
1993 - Best "Young" European Film - European Film Academy
1993 - Best Foreign Film - Independent Spirit Award
1993 - Best Foreign Film - Independent Spirit Awards