La bohème

Iconoclastic filmmaker Werner Herzog breathesnew life into the love duet O soave fanciulla fromPuccini’s LA BOHÈME. While Puccini’s musicexpresses two people drawing closer togetherin intimacy Herzog’s film ironically suggestsparting. Playing out among the Mursi peopleof southwest Ethiopia four couples are shownstaring into the camera, then turning to face eachother and then walking away separately.

”Herzog’s short is part of a project sponsoredby the English National Opera in which threedirectors were asked to create a personal visualresponses to a celebrated piece of opera.
LEE BLANCHARD