An Opera of the World (2017)
In An Opera of the World, Malian scholar and filmmaker Manthia Diawara reflects upon the refugee crisis and the relationship between Europe and Africa. The film revolves around a 2008 performance of Bintou Were, a Sahel Opera, by Zé Manel Fortes with a libretto by Koulsy Lamko, in Bamako, around which Diawara builds a story about migration, interweaving interviews with documentary and archival footage. In the course of the film, one crosses into the world of opera from the tradition of sung wisdoms and sentiments, which has characterized West African culture for centuries. If opera is often understood as an über-European art form—the Gesamtkunstwerk invoked by Richard Wagner—Diawara chooses to meditate on its movement or migration as opposed to its expansion or totality. What happens when opera moves south, from Europe to Africa, just as so many people from that continent are moving north, in search of better lives?
Cast
- Alexander Kluge - Himself
- Fatou Diome - Herself
- Nicole Lapierre - Herself
- Richard Sennett - Himself
- Manthia Diawara - Himself
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is An Opera of the World about?
- In An Opera of the World, Malian scholar and filmmaker Manthia Diawara reflects upon the refugee crisis and the relationship between Europe and Africa. The film revolves around a 2008 performance of Bintou Were, a Sahel Opera, by Zé Manel Fortes with a libretto by Koulsy Lamko, in Bamako, around which Diawara builds a story about migration, interweaving interviews with documentary and archival footage. In the course of the film, one crosses into the world of opera from the tradition of sung wisdoms and sentiments, which has characterized West African culture for centuries. If opera is often understood as an über-European art form—the Gesamtkunstwerk invoked by Richard Wagner—Diawara chooses to meditate on its movement or migration as opposed to its expansion or totality. What happens when opera moves south, from Europe to Africa, just as so many people from that continent are moving north, in search of better lives?
- Who directed An Opera of the World?
- An Opera of the World was directed by Manthia Diawara.
- Who stars in An Opera of the World?
- An Opera of the World stars Alexander Kluge, Fatou Diome, Nicole Lapierre, Richard Sennett, Manthia Diawara.
- How long is An Opera of the World?
- An Opera of the World has a runtime of 1h 11m (71 minutes).
- What genre is An Opera of the World?
- An Opera of the World is a Documentary film.