Bel Canto (film)

Bel Canto
Bel Canto
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Paul Weitz
Screenplay by	Paul Weitz; Anthony Weintraub;
Based on	Bel Canto; by Ann Patchett
Produced by	Caroline Baron; Anthony Weintraub; Paul Weitz; Andrew Miano;
Starring	Julianne Moore; Ken Watanabe; Sebastian Koch; Christopher Lambert;
Cinematography	Tobias Datum
Edited by	Suzy Elmiger
Music by	David Majzlin
Production; companies	A-Line Pictures; Depth of Field; Bloom; Priority Pictures;
Distributed by	Screen Media Films
Release date	September 14, 2018 (United States);
Running time	102 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$350,264

Bel Canto is a 2018 American drama film directed by Paul Weitz, from a screenplay by Weitz and Anthony Weintraub. It is based on the 2001 novel of the same name by Ann Patchett. It stars Julianne Moore, Ken Watanabe, Sebastian Koch, and Christopher Lambert.

It was released on September 14, 2018 by Screen Media Films.

Synopsis

Roxane Coss, a famous American soprano, travels to South America to give a private concert at the birthday party of rich Japanese industrialist Katsumi Hosokawa. Just as a handsome gathering of local dignitaries convenes at Vice-President Ruben Ochoa's mansion, including French Ambassador Thibault and his wife, Hosokawa's faithful translator Gen, and Russian trade delegate Fyodorov, the house is taken over by guerrillas led by Comandante Benjamin demanding the release of their imprisoned comrades. Their only contact with the outside world is through Red Cross negotiator Messner. A month-long standoff ensues in which hostages and captors must overcome their differences and find their shared humanity and hope in the face of impending disaster.^[3]

Cast and characters

Julianne Moore as Roxane Coss (Renée Fleming as her singing "voice")
Ken Watanabe as Katsumi Hosokawa
Sebastian Koch as Joachim Messner
Christopher Lambert as Simon Thibault
Ryo Kase as Gen Watanabe
Tenoch Huerta as Comandante Benjamin
María Mercedes Coroy as Carmen
Olek Krupa as Fyodorov
Melissa Navia as Esmeralda
Gabo Augustine as Ismael
Elsa Zylberstein as Edith Thibault
J. Eddie Martinez as Vice-President Ruben Ochoa
Bobby Daniel Rodriguez as Father Arguedas
Nico Bustamante as Ruben's son Marco
Jay Santiago as Monsignor Rolland

Production

In August 2016, it was announced that Julianne Moore, Ken Watanabe and Demián Bichir joined the cast of the film, with Paul Weitz directing, from a screenplay he wrote alongside Anthony Weintraub, based upon the novel of the same name. Caroline Baron, Weintraub, Weitz and Andrew Miano will serve as producers on the film, under their A-Line Pictures and Depth of Field banners, respectively.^[4]^[5] In February 2017, Sebastian Koch, Christopher Lambert, Elsa Zylberstein joined the cast of the film.^[6] Renée Fleming joined the films as Moore's singing voice.^[7] It was later revealed María Mercedes Coroy joined the cast of the film.

Principal photography began in New York on February 13, 2017.^[6]

Release

In May 2018, Screen Media Films acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.^[8] It was released on September 14, 2018.^[9] As of October 2021^[update], 46% of the 74 critical reviews compiled on Rotten Tomatoes are positive, with an average rating of 5.4/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Bel Canto's reach occasionally exceeds its ambitious grasp in terms of juggling themes and tones, but it's held together by palpable emotion and a pair of strong leads."^[10]