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Otello

Otello (2001)

Jan 01, 2001 2h 37m Music

One of the chief pleasures of this live production of Otello from the Berlin Staatsoper Unter den Linden is Daniel Barenboim's conducting. From the opening gale-force blast of storm music, through the crunching and stabbing accompaniment of Iago's "Credo" to the shimmering strings of Desdemona's "Willow Song", he doesn't miss a trick. Everything works at the highest pitch of intensity and the orchestra sticks to his beat like glue. It's a necessary compensation for the shortcomings of the staging: the stolid chorus remains unperturbed by the storm and is directed to perform with unison movements; the acting (apart from Valeri Alexejev) is non-committal, and Alexandre Tarta's video direction somewhat flat-footed. She doesn't manage to make much small-screen sense of an impenetrably murky opening scene, for example, and doesn't seem fond of reaction shots.

Directed by Jürgen Flimm

Cast

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Christian Franz

as Otello (tenor)

Emily Magee
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Emily Magee

as Desdemona (soprano)

Valeri Alexejev
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Valeri Alexejev

as Iago (baritone)

Stephan Rügamer
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Stephan Rügamer

as Cassio (tenor)

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Andreas Schmidt

as Roderigo (tenor)

Kwangchul Youn
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Kwangchul Youn

as Lodovico (bass)

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Gerd Wolf

as Montano (bass)

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Katharina Kammerloher

as Emilia (mezzo-soprano)

Crew

Director
  • Jürgen Flimm
Writer
  • Arrigo Boito
Producer
  • François Duplat

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Thematic Analysis

Otello represents a fascinating example of Music cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.

Director Jürgen Flimm 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 pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 2001, 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 Otello took approximately 18 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 157 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 191 minutes long.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 10 months to complete.
  • Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
  • The musical score contains over 48 unique compositions.

Historical Context

  • In 2001, when this film is released:
  • Social media platforms were beginning to transform communication.
  • Environmental concerns were becoming more mainstream.
  • Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: January 1, 2001
  • Runtime: 2h 37m

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