Screening: Carlos Saura’s Carmen

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Spanish film scholar Samuel Amago (University of Notre Dame) introduces each screening Mérimée's classic tale Carmen has been a source of artistic inspiration, not least as the source for one of the most famous operas of all time. In recognition of its continued influence in our time, and in conjunction with Chicago Opera Theater's production of La Tragédie de Carmen, the MCA presents another contemporary take on this fascinating tale. Filmmaker Carlos Saura's Carmen, about a fictional rehearsal for Bizet's opera, is set in a flamenco dance school. The first in his critically acclaimed flamenco trilogy, Carmen (1983, 102 min) features many flamenco legends including guitarist Paco de Lucia, dancer/chorographers Cristina Hoyos and the late Antonio Gades (whose original stage show is the source for Saura's film), and Laura del Sol in the title role.