MOVIE REVIEW
The Opera!
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Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Musical
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 46m
Director(s): Paolo Gep Cucco, Davide Livermore
Writer(s): Paolo Gep Cucco, Davide Livermore
Cast: Valentino Buzza, Mariam Battistelli, Vincent Cassel, Fanny Ardant, Caterina Murino, Erwin Schrott, Rossy De Palma, Angela Finocchiaro, Linda Gennari, Charlotte Gentile, Sergio Bernal
Where To Watch: shown at the 2024 Rome Film Fest - Fondazione Cinema per Roma

RAVING REVIEW: THE OPERA! unveils an inventive story that revisits the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, embedding it within modern cinema with a novel twist that interweaves classical opera with avant-garde film techniques. Far from a straightforward retelling, this venture sparks a creative resurgence, connecting an age-old tale with the dynamism of contemporary visual and auditory artistry. It invites a new generation to explore operatic drama through a spectacle that marries the old-world charm of opera with the pulsating beat of modernity.

This tale begins with a love story plunged into disarray by an unforeseen tragedy that thrusts Eurydice into a surreal underworld following a wedding day marred by a gunshot. The film follows Orpheus as he defies the boundaries on a heroic quest through mystical and starkly honest landscapes—including an underwater Paris and the eerie Hotel Hades. This blend of fantastical and real-world elements challenges the audience to blur the line between reality and illusion, echoing the timeless allure of the original myth while setting it against a backdrop of innovative cinematic settings.

Behind the scenes, Davide Livermore and Paolo Gep Cucco craft a visually stunning narrative that seamlessly fuses sound and imagery, drawing on their rich opera and stage design backgrounds. Utilizing cutting-edge technology and virtual sets housed within Prodea Led Studios, they paint a series of expansive, dream-like vistas that draw inspiration from metaphysical artwork and modernist aesthetics. This artistic choice enhances the film’s visual appeal and enriches its depth, offering a new perspective on familiar stories.

The auditory experience of THE OPERA! resonates with a soundtrack that blends classic opera arias with contemporary electronic music. This innovative soundscape enhances the emotional struggle while inviting a broader audience to experience opera's richness in a fresh and relevant context. It underscores the unfolding drama, adding accessibility that invites both opera fans and newcomers to find common ground in the shared experience of the film.

Orpheus' odyssey is marked by trials that test his resolve. He encounters enigmatic figures such as the wily Proserpina and the skeptical Atropos. These encounters weave deeper meanings into the themes of love and sacrifice, climaxing in a riveting rendition of "Nessun Dorma" that challenges Orpheus's determination and poses the eternal question of love's actual cost.

THE OPERA! not only pioneers a blend of opera and popular music within the cinematic landscape but also offers a profound exploration of human emotions underpinned by the powerful narrative force of storytelling. This approach expands the appeal of opera and celebrates the convergence of art forms, demonstrating that the essence of storytelling transcends both time and medium.

For those new to opera, THE OPERA! serves as an engaging introduction to the genre, framed within contemporary themes that resonate with today's viewers. Meanwhile, long-standing opera enthusiasts will appreciate the innovative reinterpretation of the art form, revealing new facets of its enduring allure.

THE OPERA! stands as both a homage and a bold reinvention of classical storytelling. Crafted by visionaries adept at redefining narrative traditions for a contemporary audience, the film transcends its status as mere entertainment. It is a profound contemplation of the human spirit and the transformative power of love, urging viewers to seek new beginnings within their endings and to embrace the possibilities of change and renewal within their narratives.

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[photo courtesy of DIGILIFE MOVIE, DOLCE & GABBANA, RAI CINEMA, SHOWLAB, PULSAR CONTENT, THE PR FACTORY]

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