Sometimes, when you have a film made by people with immense talent, it doesn’t matter what the plot is, you just know it’s going to be great. And if the film has a great story to go along with all the talent, then that’s even better. For the upcoming “Bel Canto,” it looks like we have a film that has Oscar-caliber talent behind the camera and in front, with a story that has captured the imagination of millions. How can you possibly go wrong?
In the trailer for the film, you are introduced to the two main characters, an opera singer played by the Oscar-winning Julianne Moore and a Japanese industrialist played by the Oscar-nominated Ken Watanabe. As the Japanese businessman becomes entranced by the beautiful voice of the singer, some South American guerrilla rebel group storms the mansion and takes them hostage. And as the trailer suggests, through the use of her voice, Moore’s opera singer is able to save the day. Or so it seems.
“Bel Canto” is based on the award-winning, best-selling novel of the same name, which was inspired by the real-life Japanese embassy hostage crisis in 1996. “Bel Canto” is co-written and directed by Paul Weitz, who is best known for his work in “Mozart in the Jungle,” “Grandma,” and for his Oscar-nominated writing in “About a Boy.”
And since you’re probably wondering, Julianne Moore doesn’t sing in the film. Instead, her singing voice comes courtesy of world-renowned opera singer Renee Fleming.
“Bel Canto” will hit theaters September 14 before being available On Demand a week later.
Here’s the synopsis for the film:
Based on the award-winning novel, this dramatic love story follows a famous soprano (Julianne Moore) who travels to a military dictatorship in South America to give a private concert at the lavish birthday party for a wealthy Japanese industrialist (Ken Watanabe). Just as the handsome gathering convenes, the house is taken over by a guerrilla rebel group demanding the release of their imprisoned comrades. As a lengthy standoff ensues, hostages and captors form unexpected bonds as they overcome their differences and find their shared humanity. The film also stars Sebastian Koch, Christopher Lambert, Ryo Kase, Tenoch Huerta, and María Mercedes Coroy.