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Diva

6.5

435

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Original title

Diva

Year

1981

Running time

117 min.

Country

France

Director

Jean-Jacques Beineix

Screenwriter

Jean-Jacques Beineix, Jean Van Hamme. Novel: Daniel Odier

Cast

Music

Vladimir Cosma

Cinematography

Philippe Rousselot

Producer

Les Films Galaxie, Greenwich Film Productions, France 2 (FR 2)

Genre

Thriller | Psychological Thriller. Opera

Synopsis

Marvellous amalgam of sadistic thriller and fairytale romance, DIVA is a charming French original that combines intrigue, romance and a delirious soundtrack in a visually stunning and stylish debut from Jean-Jacques Beineix. Frederic Andrei stars as Jules, a postal courier obsessed with Cynthia Hawkins (Wilhelmenia Wiggins) an international opera star who refuses to be recorded, much to the dismay of her adoring public. Jules' passion for the opera diva's angelic soprano leads him to smuggle a recorder into a sold-out Parisian performance to commit her voice to tape. He privately enjoys his recording until he shares his secret with a new friend (Thuy An Luu) and simultaneously finds himself at the center of an international drug and sex scandal and a pirating operation that will do anything to get hold of his precious tape. Suddenly Jules becomes engulfed in scandal and must fight to stay one step ahead of the policemen and high-tech hitmen who are chasing him. Dizzying chase scenes are masterfully shot, culminating in a heart-pounding motorcycle chase through the underground Paris Metro. Jean-Jacques Beineix composes each shot like a still photograph, exploring the visual dichotomy between the high-tech disco aesthetic of 1980s Paris and the classic beauty of Cynthia's opera and the ancient city. The brilliant best-selling soundtrack highlights each stylish frame. DIVA is based on the novel by Delacorta.

Awards: 1982: BAFTA Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Language Film

1982: New York Film Critics Circle: Nominated for Best Cinematography

1981: César Awards: 4 Awards. 5 Nominations

1982: National Society of Film Critics (NSFC): Best Cinematography. 2 nominations

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User history

Diva

1981

Jean-Jacques Beineix

6.5

(435)