Carmen (Spain, 1983)

One of the best mistakes among my movie selections. I picked it up based on the title, without checking the cover and thought I would have a chance to watch a nice and authentic rendition of the opera. Isnetad the original story was set in modern Spain, where a choreographer was directing a flamenco/folk/ballet version of the opera. He picked her main dancer from a bar (instead of from established dance schools) and promptly fall in love with her. Latin sensuality is emanating from every pore/frame. The dance sequences are tasty, I particularly enjoyed the camera moving alongside with the dancers’ legs. The choreographer was played by a(n apparently famous) choreographer: Antonio Gades. My knowledge of dance personalities is limited, but I am better with musicians, so I do know that Paco de Lucía (playing the guitarist) is one of the top flamenco players. Some dance movies bore me. This one engaged me.