Carmen (2003)

Based on the novel by Prosper Merimee, CARMEN is the classic tale of forbidden passion between a young man (Leonardo Sbaraglia) and a spoken-for woman, Carmen (Paz Vega). It is told in ... See full summary »

Director:

Vicente Aranda

Writers:

Vicente Aranda, Joaquim Jordà

Stars:

Paz Vega, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Antonio Dechent

4 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paz Vega	...	Carmen
Leonardo Sbaraglia	...	José
Antonio Dechent	...	Tuerto
Joan Crosas	...	Dancaire
Jay Benedict	...	Próspero
Joe Mackay	...	Teniente
Josep Linuesa	...	Lucas
Julio Vélez	...	Señorito
Emilio Linder	...	Aristóteles
Miguel Ángel Valcárcel	...	Juanele
Simon Shepherd	...	Magistrado
Ismael Martínez	...	Antonio
Ginés García Millán	...	Tempranillo
Susi Sánchez	...	Blanca
María Botto	...	Fernanda

Storyline

Based on the novel by Prosper Merimee, CARMEN is the classic tale of forbidden passion between a young man (Leonardo Sbaraglia) and a spoken-for woman, Carmen (Paz Vega). It is told in flashback as the young soldier, stripped of his decorations, explains all in a prison cell. He tells of the love he had for Carmen and how it proved to be destructive.

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Plot Keywords:

male nudity | male frontal nudity | female to male footsie playing | female rear nudity | female frontal nudity | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

Spain UK Italy

Language:

Spanish Basque French

Release Date:

3 October 2003 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Кармен

Filming Locations:

Córdoba, Andalucía, Spain

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

€1,141,628 (Spain), 5 October 2003, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

Star Line TV Productions S.L.,TeleMadrid,Alythia Limited

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of The Loves of Carmen (1927)

User Reviews

The Original 'Carmen' Realized

Even for the non-opera loving public the name CARMEN is immediately recognized as an opera by Bizet about a gypsy girl whose capricious loves destroy men. But as much as the opera is now considered a staple in every opera house repertoire, the real story of the wild gypsy lass as created by Prosper Mérimée in 1845 has never been told as well as in this cinematic version by the abundantly gifted Spanish director Vicente Aranda ('Juana la Loca AKA Mad Love','Amantes', 'If they tell you I fell', etc.). Incorporating the author of the novel as a main character seeking the story of Carmen from one of her lovers - José - provides just the right vantage for the story of this famous gypsy wild lady to be told.

Carmen (the amazingly beautiful and talented Paz Vega) works in a cigar factory in Seville, a factory adjoining the military station where the very proper José (Leonardo Sbaraglia) is stationed. Carmen is tempestuous and in a fight instigated by a fellow factory worker bringing attention to the fact that Carmen is a gypsy, Carmen murders the co-worker and is arrested. José is physically attracted to the voluptuous Carmen and when Carmen flirts with him he consents to allow her to escape - his payback is the promise for a night of passion with Carmen. Carmen keeps her pact, providing José with his first sexual encounter, and José is doomed. His lack of military discipline results in his losing his rank and being imprisoned for a while, but at his release José encounters Carmen again, kills a fellow officer, and in fear runs off to the hills to live with the smugglers and gypsies that are Carmen's people. Many incidents occur to try the passionate bond between the lovers, but when Carmen's real husband is released from prison, destructive behaviors take over, behavior's that include Carmen's infatuation and affair with a bullfighter and the passion of Carmen and José comes to a tragic end.

One factor that makes the story (as adapted for the screen by director Aranda and Joaquim Jordà move so well is the role that Prosper Mérimée (Jay Benedict) plays: his questioning of José completes the story that Bizet's opera only outlines. The acting is superb, the cinematography by Paco Femenia and the excellent musical score by José Nieto contribute enormously to the success of this very fine film. This is a must for lovers of the opera Carmen, and a splendid action drama for those viewers who admire historical pieces. Highly recommended. Grady Harp