334:(1967). Biller used the photos as a proof-of-concept, and was able to secure the full funding to make a feature film from a private investor. The film was made slowly as they had to repeatedly pause production to raise more money. They originally budgeted for $ 100,000, but the final cost of the film was $ 750,000. Principal photography lasted from 2005 to 2007. Biller chose to star in the film herself because she "wouldn't ask another actress to take off her clothes in the movie and do all these things with the power trip being 'I'm the director, you're the actress.'"
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As Viva, Barbi goes on several arranged dates and has sexual encounters with various men. She meets photographer Clyde, but refuses to sleep with him until she is ready. However, after performing at an orgy, Clyde drugs and consummates with Viva. Perturbed by the encounter, Viva consults Sheila who
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In 1972, Barbi is happily married to Rick in suburban Los
Angeles. She is friends with Sheila and her husband Mark, an actor, who frequently flirts with Barbi. After she is sexually harassed by her boss, Barbi quits her job. Rick is unperturbed and convinces Barbi to become a homemaker. However,
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Right before her reunion with Rick, Mark attacks and attempts to rape Barbi. She fends him off, but when Rick arrives, he smells Mark's cologne and runs off. He ends up with a broken leg and reunites with Barbi. Sheila and Mark have a baby, and the two couples remain friends.
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Barbi and Rick begin to fight as he frequently travels for business. After Rick decides to spend a month away from her on a business trip, Barbi decides their marriage is over. Sheila informs her that Mark has also left her, and the two decide to live the single life.
376:, the film holds an approval rating of 60% based on 48 reviews, with an average rating of 5.40/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Though it's lengthy and doesn't always walk the line between schlock and kitschy homage successfully,
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Barbi receives a phone call from Arthur, a musical producer friend of Clyde's, who offers her a role in his upcoming musical. At an audition, Barbi and Sheila perform a song about the different facets of womanhood.
353:. The film had a limited theatrical release by Vagrant Films Releasing; it played at Cinema Village in New York as well as in New Orleans, Cleveland, and Los Angeles.
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who offers to arrange sexual encounters and dates for them. Barbi decides to go by the alias Viva, after the name of an erotic magazine she enjoys reading.
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and starring, in addition to Biller, Jared
Sanford, Bridget Brno, Chad England, Marcus DeAnda, and John Klemantaski. The plot concerns a 1970s suburban
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387:, the film has a weighted average score of 58 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Daniel Steinhart of
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wrote, "Full of campy performances and giggle-inducing period costumes, the film may be destined for cult status." Lauren
Horwitch of
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magazines, and the photos inspired her to create a story surrounding these characters. Another major inspiration was
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received mixed to positive reactions, and "illustrates cinema's unique ability to blend high and low culture." On
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reveals she is returning to Mark after realizing she is pregnant and encourages Viva to also reunite with Rick.
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wrote, "Biller once again proves herself to be a master multi-tasker with her new musical,
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469:""Dated Sexuality": Anna Biller's Viva and the Retrospective Life of Sexploitation Cinema"
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842:"Flash back and flash forward: actor-filmmakers shine in AFI Fest's spotlight"
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as one of the year's "best performances most likely to be overlooked".
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811:"Reeling in Rotterdam: Asian films dominate eclectic, edgy showcase"
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While wearing risqué outfits, Barbi and Sheila are picked up by a
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928:"Dennis Harvey's Best Performances Most Likely to be Overlooked"
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in 2007. It was also entered into the main competition at the
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and other sexploitation films of that era. Writing for the
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lovely visuals and knowing humor are undeniable." On
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originally started as a photo series inspired by old
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234:who is dragged through the worst excesses of the
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639:"29th Moscow International Film Festival (2007)"
542:"Unlikely Genres: An Interview with Anna Biller"
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508:"Playboy era revived in a feast for the senses"
413:, Dennis Harvey listed Biller's performance in
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347:36th International Film Festival Rotterdam
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581:"Way, way beyond the valley of the dolls"
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820:. Vol. 110, no. 4. p. 138
723:"Swinging Suburbia and the Sensual City"
612:"Seventies high camp on the shag carpet"
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936:. Vol. 43, no. 14. p. 45
505:Coslovich, Gabriella (August 1, 2007).
351:29th Moscow International Film Festival
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851:. Vol. 14, no. 43. p. 5
720:
357:was released on DVD by Cult Epics and
1137:English-language musical comedy films
839:Horwitch, Lauren (October 25, 2007).
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578:Al-Solaylee, Kamal (March 7, 2008).
432:
430:
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1112:English-language independent films
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1132:English-language sex comedy films
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870:Gleiberman, Owen (May 16, 2008).
438:"Viva (2008) Details and Credits"
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808:Steinhart, Daniel (April 2007).
609:Dixon, Guy (February 29, 2008).
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898:Pulver, Andrew (May 14, 2009).
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721:Dargis, Manohla (May 2, 2008).
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284:Bridget Brno as Sheila Campbell
1082:American feminist comedy films
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281:Jared Sanford as Mark Campbell
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1117:Films directed by Anna Biller
1092:American musical comedy films
944:– via Internet Archive.
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226:film written and directed by
1107:American sexploitation films
1052:2000s English-language films
859:– via General OneFile.
828:– via General OneFile.
627:– via General OneFile.
598:– via General OneFile.
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7:
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1087:American independent films
1067:2000s musical comedy films
933:San Francisco Bay Guardian
817:Film Journal International
410:San Francisco Bay Guardian
390:Film Journal International
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293:John Klemantaski as Arthur
151:January 30, 2007
1102:American sex comedy films
540:Gorfinkel, Elena (2011).
467:Gorfinkel, Elena (2011).
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558:10.1215/02705346-1415452
485:10.1215/02705346-1415443
359:Anchor Bay Entertainment
16:2007 film by Anna Biller
926:Harvey, Dennis (2009).
517:. Melbourne. p. 19
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129:Anna Biller Productions
1077:2000s sex comedy films
1042:2007 independent films
619:. Toronto. p. R10
590:. Toronto. p. R20
302:Cole Chipman as Reeves
299:Barry Morse as Sherman
296:Paolo Davanzo as Elmer
290:Marcus DeAnda as Clyde
1097:American parody films
314:Biller's concept for
166:May 2, 2008
1062:2000s feminist films
1047:2000s American films
877:Entertainment Weekly
305:Robbin Ryan as Agnes
287:Chad England as Rick
174: (United States)
900:"Film Review: Viva"
735:on October 11, 2019
222:is a 2007 American
1072:2000s parody films
728:The New York Times
697:"DVD: Viva (2007)"
617:The Globe and Mail
587:The Globe and Mail
361:on Feb. 24, 2009.
1122:Films set in 1972
1037:2007 comedy films
649:on April 21, 2013
552:(3 78): 137–145.
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236:sexual revolution
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183:Running time
91:Chad England
88:Bridget Brno
18:
940:October 11,
911:October 11,
883:October 11,
793:October 11,
766:October 11,
739:October 11,
706:October 11,
681:October 11,
449:October 11,
326:Luis Buñuel
276:Anna Biller
228:Anna Biller
187:120 minutes
116:Anna Biller
82:Anna Biller
65:Anna Biller
59:Produced by
54:Anna Biller
45:Anna Biller
41:Directed by
35:Film poster
1032:2007 films
1026:Categories
443:Metacritic
421:References
405:Russ Meyer
385:Metacritic
310:Production
224:sex comedy
170:2008-05-02
155:2007-01-30
138:Cult Epics
122:Production
51:Written by
855:August 3,
824:August 3,
674:IndieWire
653:April 22,
623:August 3,
594:August 3,
563:August 3,
521:August 3,
490:August 3,
365:Reception
232:housewife
211:$ 750,000
113:Edited by
996:AllMovie
760:AFI Fest
328:'s film
200:Language
76:Starring
514:The Age
338:Release
321:Playboy
203:English
192:Country
168: (
153: (
124:company
981:
872:"Viva"
755:"Viva"
381:'s
208:Budget
159: (
252:madam
1007:Viva
991:Viva
979:IMDb
974:Viva
942:2019
913:2019
885:2019
857:2018
826:2018
795:2019
768:2019
741:2019
708:2019
701:KQEK
683:2019
655:2013
643:MIFF
625:2018
596:2018
565:2018
523:2018
492:2018
451:2019
415:Viva
401:Viva
378:Viva
370:Viva
355:Viva
343:Viva
316:Viva
270:Cast
242:Plot
219:Viva
161:IFFR
24:Viva
1010:at
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