SYNOPSIS

This controversially erotic film from New Zealand established screenwriter-director Jane Campion as a universally recognized talent. Holly Hunter stars as Ada, a mute 19th-century woman sent to New Zealand in an arranged marriage with a patriarchal landowner (Sam Neill). She brings along her daughter, Flora (Anna Paquin), and tries to also bring her beloved piano, much to the consternation of her new husband, who abandons the piano on a beach. Artistically and emotionally frustrated, Ada finds herself experiencing an erotic awakening when Baines (Harvey Keitel), an illiterate settler covered with Maori tattoos, rescues her piano, buys it from her husband, then strikes a strange bargain with Ada that gradually leads to her sexual awakening–and to an explosive confrontation.


TRAILER


RELEASE DATE

October 29, 1993

DIRECTOR

Jane Campion

WRITER

Jane Campion

COMPANY

Miramax Films

GENRE

Drama, Romance

CERT

15

RUNTIME

121 minutes

IMAGES