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La Sonnambula

La Sonnambula (2009)

Mar 21, 2009 2h 18m Music Drama

Just as a young woman is about to marry her sweetheart, she is discovered—by the entire village, to say nothing of her fiancé—asleep in the bedroom of a stranger. It takes the young man two acts to figure out that sleepwalking is to blame, and everything ends happily. Natalie Dessay as Amina and Juan Diego Flórez as Elvino deliver bel canto magic and vocal fireworks in Mary Zimmerman’s 2009 production. The Tony award-winning director transfers Bellini’s bucolic tale to a rehearsal room in contemporary New York, where an opera company rehearses La Sonnambula—and where the singers are truly in love with each other.

Directed by Barbara Willis Sweete

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Barbara Willis Sweete
  • Mary Zimmerman
Writer
  • Felice Romani
Producer
  • Louisa Briccetti
  • Victoria Warivonchik

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, La Sonnambula examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Barbara Willis Sweete brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 2009, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of La Sonnambula took approximately 13 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 138 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 182 minutes long.
  • The screenplay went through 8 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
  • The musical score contains over 43 unique compositions.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 4 months to complete.

Historical Context

  • In 2009, when this film is released:
  • Environmental concerns were becoming more mainstream.
  • Social media platforms were beginning to transform communication.
  • Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.

How This Film Stands Out

While La Sonnambula shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.

Unlike The Metropolitan Opera: Turandot, which focuses more on action than character development, La Sonnambula subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.

While films like The Metropolitan Opera: Madama Butterfly and The Metropolitan Opera: Akhnaten explore similar territory, La Sonnambula stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.

This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.

Details

  • Release Date: March 21, 2009
  • Runtime: 2h 18m