Tuesday, August 18, 2020

The Stories about Music Films: 20. The Red Violin (1998)


Basic Info

Title: The Red Violin
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Country: Canada, Italy, United Kingdom
Language: English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin
Running time: 131 minutes
Release date: September 2, 1998 (Venice), November 13, 1998 (Canada), April 9, 1999 (United Kingdom)

Staff

Director: François Girard
Producer: Niv Fichman
Written by: Don McKellar, François Girard
Music: John Corigliano
Cinematography: Alain Dostie
Edited by: Gaëtan Huot

Cast

Carlo Cecchi as Nicolò Bussotti
Irene Grazioli as Anna Rudolfi Bussotti
Jean-Luc Bideau as Georges Poussin
Greta Scacchi as Victoria Byrd
Jason Flemyng as Frederick Pope
Sylvia Chang as Xiang Pei (& Xiang Pei's mother)
Colm Feore as Auctioneer
Don McKellar as Evan Williams
Samuel L. Jackson as Charles Morritz

Summary


"The Red Violin" is a 1998 drama film directed by François Girard and starring Samuel L. Jackson, Carlo Cecchi and Sylvia Chang. The film tells the story of a mysterious red-colored violin and many people who owned it throughout four centuries and five countries. Made in 1681 in Cremona, Italy, with a future forecast by tarot cards, the instrument was moved to Montreal in 1997, where an appraiser evaluates and goes to auction. This film is an international co-production among companies in Canada, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

The screenplay was written by Don McKellar, who also acted in the film, and Girard, inspired by a historic Stradivarius violin made in 1720, nicknamed "Red Mendelssohn". The film was shot in Austria, Canada, China, England and Italy. John Corigliano made the music for the film with solos by violinist Joshua Bell.

After its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, it received positive reviews from critics, and numerous honors, including the Academy Award for Best Original Score and eight Genie Awards, including Best Motion Picture.

Movie Review


Absolutely wonderful”
Unforgettable experience”
A wonderful journey”
A wonderful and very musical movie”
Absolutely amazing from start to finish”
Beautiful film”
Splendid”
A beautiful film that enchants you completely”
A unique masterpiece”

Interesting stories about the film


1. Christoph Koncz (as Kaspar Weiss the orphan virtuoso) was only 9 years old when he appeared in the film. He is an Austrian-Hungarian classical musician who became a world-renowned violinist and conductor.

2. The scene when Frederick Pope (Jason Flemyng) leans back in the bathtub with the letter from his lover in his hand is a reproduction of the famous 1793 painting "The Death of Marat" by Jacques-Louis David.

The Death of Marat, Jacques-Louis David (1793)

3. Joshua Bell, a solo violinist on the movie soundtrack, was the violinist double appeared in the film. According to an interview with National Public Radio, Bell was scolded several times by Director François Girard for overacting.

4. According to the commentary, Morgan Freeman was originally considered to play the part of Charles Morritz.



Thank you.


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