The Serpent’s Kiss – a.k.a. Le Baiser Du Serpent (France) a.k.a. Der Schlangenkuss (Germany)

Drama (James Fitzmaurice)

This film stars Greta Scacchi, Carmen Chaplin, Ewan McGregor, Pete Postlethwaite and REG. I’ve not seen it, but in my broken French have tried to glean what this film is about from a French review.

Set in England in 1699, it’s the story of a man named Thomas Smithers, who, driven by vanity and a desire to impress his beautiful wife Juliana decides to transform his garden from a waste land into true work of art worthy of his social status.

A young and brilliant Dutch landscape designer, is hired to take on the task, who I’m guessing is played by Ewan McGregor. REG plays James Fitzmaurice, a scheming jealous friend who recommends the landscape designer in the hope of ruining Thomas Smithers’ plans and winning the love of the beautiful Juiliana (don’t ask me how!). But it all backfires on him.

Despite being well received at Canne in 1997, the film is still to find a distributor. Although Buena Vista were, at one time, rumoured to be releasing it, at the moment it’s sitting at sales company J&M waiting to be picked up (distributor screenings have, thus far, proven unsuccessful).

J&M is, however, optimistic that someone will acquire it to be released before the end of 1999.

Due for a 1999 release