poison

R 18+
Todd Haynes, 85 mins, USA, 1991, Colour/B&W, 35mm. Courtesy: Level Four Films

Poison

Inspired by the work of Jean Genet, Haynes' first full-length feature is a vision of febrile darkness. Like Genet's, the universe Haynes creates with his three intercut stories is lurid, sadistic and unabashedly homoerotic.

Hero sees seven-year-old Richie Beacon murder his own father.

Horror follows a scientist who isolates the human sex drive in liquid form, and drinks it with disastrous results.

Homo explores the relationship between two prison inmates who have a shared secret from their past.

Winner Best Feature Film at the 1991 Berlin Film Festival, and of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.