Diva

1981
R
1h 57m

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

15K

YOUR RATING

Frédéric Andréi, Richard Bohringer, Wilhelmenia Fernandez, and An Luu in Diva (1981)

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99+ Photos

Crime Music Thriller

Two tapes, two Parisian mob killers, one corrupt policeman, an opera fan, a teenage thief, and the coolest philosopher ever filmed all twist their way through an intricate and stylish French... Read allTwo tapes, two Parisian mob killers, one corrupt policeman, an opera fan, a teenage thief, and the coolest philosopher ever filmed all twist their way through an intricate and stylish French-language thriller.Two tapes, two Parisian mob killers, one corrupt policeman, an opera fan, a teenage thief, and the coolest philosopher ever filmed all twist their way through an intricate and stylish French-language thriller.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

15K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 8 wins & 9 nominations total

Trivia
The producers were looking for an actress who fit the description of Cynthia Hawkins (the Diva) in the original novel - a beautiful black American woman who sings a flawless operatic soprano, and speaks both English and French fluently. They attended a performance of Carmen to familiarize themselves with opera performers. Wilhelmenia Fernandez was playing the title role the night they attended the opera.

Goofs
During the metro chase, close-ups of Jules shows the collar of a white tee-shirt underneath his buttoned-up shirt. However, in both previous and following scenes, he is without the tee-shirt.

Quotes
Gorodish: Abyssus abyssum invocat
Alba: What is Abyssus abyssum?
Gorodish: It means the abyss calls the abyss

Crazy credits
The music continues for a minute and five seconds after the credits end.

Alternate versions
Lion's Gate released a DVD (under the "Meridien Collection" banner) with 6' of deleted shots (all extensions of existing scenes) that were intentionally cut in the original by the director before the initial release, with those deleted shots not as bonus material on the DVD but actually edited back into the film, and advertised on the DVD as a "restored version". The resultant timing was 123'. This is not an official version, but an unauthorized re-editing by a DVD company. The correct timing of the film is 117'25".

Connections
Edited into Searching for Diva (2008)

Soundtracks
La Wally
Music by Alfredo Catalani
Performed by Wilhelmenia Fernandez

User reviews105

Review

Featured review

8/10

Ebben! Ne andrò lontana

Two tapes, an opera lover, thugs, and a corrupt official are the center of "Diva," a French film from 1981.

When a woman being chased drops a tape into a mailman's pouch, an opera-loving postman, Jules (Frédéric Andréi), finds himself involved in murder and mayhem.

Jules has recently secretly recorded his opera idol, Cynthia Hawkins (Wilhemina Wiggins Fernandez) in a concert. She has never been recorded and refuses to make any. Apparently she only sings one aria in this concert, "Ebben! Ne andro lontana" (I will go far away) from La Wally, or at least that's all we hear her sing and all Jules listens to on tape.

Jules becomes a target for men who want the tape the woman put into his mailbag, which incriminates a government official in prostitution. Fortunately, before his place is trashed; he asks a new friend, Alba (Thuy An Luu) to keep the Hawkins recording for him.

Really excellent film with great chase scenes, including an exciting motorcycle chase which even involves the French subway.

The Paris location adds an atmospheric layer.

Fernandez is a stunning diva, and a good actress, but I had some trouble with her vocal production. It's a beautiful voice, but I've heard the La Wally aria sung better. She did a much better job on the Ave Maria and the part of "O patria mia" she sang, which were easier and more lyrically sung.

Highly recommended for the acting, its intricate plot, its dark Parisian streets, and beautiful music.