SBIFF: Closing Night Film - Carmen 3D

Carmen in 3D

Director, Francesca Zambello

is a film of an opera that made it's world premier at closing night at the 26th International Santa Barbara Film Festival on February 6, 2011. It is the first opera ever presented as a 3D film. And I have the great privilege of saying it was the first opera I have attended!

I know what you're thinking, "That doesn't count as seeing a real opera!" Well, technically I suppose you are correct. But I have to say it must have been the closest experience to actually being to a real live opera. Not only was it filmed in 3D with RealD technology (more about them later), it also had unsurpassed surround sound, which in my opinion, was just as important as seeing in 3D. Apparently it was just as important to the film's director, Julian Napier, as well.

Stephen Michael, Managing Director, Royal Opera House

The movie starts inside London's Royal Opera House, and our local audience is sitting with an audience in the Royal Opera Hall, awaiting the curtain to rise and the performance to start. We get to experience what it's like to be at the Royal Opera Hall before the curtain rises. Not only is everything we see in 3D but as I mentioned earlier so is the sound. The sound surrounds us as we sit in the Arlington Theatre. It's one thing writing about it, but to really get what I am saying you will just have to experience it someday.

Through the magic of 3D technology, we are taken to the orchestra pit as they start playing the overture.

RealD CEO, Michael Lewis

Wow! The sound is incredible. So far I am totally impressed! I am being bombarded by visual, audial, and spacial stimuli! And most importantly the film makers didn't abuse the fact that we are seeing this in 3D. Nothing is coming at the audience in a cheesy why like some 3D movies in the past have done!

The curtain opens and the opera starts. Now through the magic of 3D we are on stage with the players. We now have THE best seats in the house. After each song we hear loud clapping coming from all areas of the Arlington. Again, it's as if we are in the Royal Opera Hall. It makes the audience want to clap with the sound track of the movie... and many of us do.

The opera which was chosen to create in 3D is Carmen, and from what I understand it was a great choice because of the music and story. Because it's so well know, it adds to it's allure.

Carmen in 3D Producer, Phil Streather

Some say that Carmen has some of the most beautiful music. I recognized many of the pieces myself and many pieces were incredibly beautiful. It helps to have a great sound system of course.

This stage production of Carmen 3D was directed by Francesca Zambello who was in the audience with us. I can imagine the excitement she must have felt to witness this first audience to experience the film! Julian Napier, the film's director, was not able to attend due to illness but many other crew and cast were present along with Michael Lewis, CEO of RealD, Stephen Michael, Managing Director of the Royal Opera House and Phil Streather, Producer. Also in attendance were Joe Peshota,

Cast Member, Elena Xanthoudakis

President of RealD, and cast member, Elena Xanthoudakis, who played Frasquita. RealD is the company responsible for many 3D movies including Avatar. Just about every modern made movie that is advertised as being in 3D is brought to you by RealD, who also co-produced this film with the Royal Opera House.

The film had an intermission of about 20 mins, just like one would experience during a live performance. That was a good break because as beautiful as this opera was it was nice to stretch my legs and have a snack before watching the remaining 45 mins or so.

The film was well received, and for the closing movie of the entire film festival, Carmen 3D was well attended (especially since this was also Superbowl Sunday).

It took technology to get me to an opera, and I thoroughly enjoyed "Carmen 3D". I can't imagine sitting far from the action on stage at a live opera after experiencing this film of an opera in 3D! "Carmen 3D" is officially opening in many theaters in March of 2011 so check your local theaters and go see it! (I mean, experience it!).