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"[Russell's]
episode is really something quite special… The sequence gives
Russell’s imagination full reign and showcases his exceptional
lighting, design and compositional skills in an uplifting parable
about the triumph of life over death" (Andrew Pragasam
in The Spinning Image, click
here) |
Aria from 1987 is a compilation film. A number of
directors were each given 50,000 pounds to make a short film based on
an opera. Ken Russell chose an excerpt Nessun Dorma from
Turandot.
Linzi Drew, the
star, says "Nessun Dorma... from Turandot translates as ´None Shall
Sleep´, and Ken's idea was to portray an accident victim who is
comatose... His inspiration came from losing someone close to him in a
car crash".
The film is one of Russell's best and is
highly recommended.
Ken's segment was filmed in a studio in Battersea.
Other directors at their peak in the Aria
films include Altman and Jean Luc Goddard. Disappointing
are Roeg and especially Derek Jarman. According to imdb.com Orson
Welles and Frederico Fellini were planned to take part but withdrew for
health reasons, and Woody Allen had a scheduling conflict so also pulled
out.
I like the comment from Nina in a blog comment "godard,
altman and jarman in one movie doesn’t sound like something that
should work and tbh it doesn’t rlly but the music is pretty and it
makes me wanna watch more ken russell so who cares" (Letterboxd,
2 Mar 2018, click
here)
All images from the DVD of the film.
Ken with one of the props from the film.
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