I caught this finely crafted and insightful documentary on cable today.
Though the title "In The Shadow of The Stars" is appropriately worded and after the viewing has a wonderful depth to it's meaning, you would never expect such access and candidness in the final content of the film. When you think of opera - at least when I do - there seems to be a mystery behind all the productions. And most might call it a vain curiosity. Who are these singers? How do the stage companies manage elaborate productions? And to be honest, although I appreciate and recognize the talent and dedication involved, I couldn't exactly call myself a devoted follower of that particular form of entertainment. In fact, I was even hesitant about viewing a documentary on the subject. But after watching this amazingly put together - and deservedly Academy Award winning documentary - I'm almost sure to reevaluate all that I enjoyed (or not enjoyed) about the opera initially and look deeper and more thoroughly at this theatrical form of entertainment.
You have making of docs for movies, and of course reality television is rife with behind the scene programs that let you into the workings of a multitude of everyday businesses and corporations. But this film allows you to almost feel a part of a that operatic world without having experiencing it first hand.
It's humorous the types of folks - from all walks of life - who are (secretly?) opera singers. It's as though you found out your high school principal was moonlighting as a stripper. Not that I'm comparing these two forms of performing, but the eye opening reveal of who is a part of these productions, is still there. An example of someone you would most likely never suspect of being an opera singer who's profiled in this film: a truck driver!
If you enjoyed "Every Little Step" - the documentary on the recent Broadway production of A Chorus Line, then you'll be delighted, enthralled and emotional about this raw and fantastic film. "In The Shadow of The Stars" brings humanity and excitement to a world that is rarely revealed.
Though the title "In The Shadow of The Stars" is appropriately worded and after the viewing has a wonderful depth to it's meaning, you would never expect such access and candidness in the final content of the film. When you think of opera - at least when I do - there seems to be a mystery behind all the productions. And most might call it a vain curiosity. Who are these singers? How do the stage companies manage elaborate productions? And to be honest, although I appreciate and recognize the talent and dedication involved, I couldn't exactly call myself a devoted follower of that particular form of entertainment. In fact, I was even hesitant about viewing a documentary on the subject. But after watching this amazingly put together - and deservedly Academy Award winning documentary - I'm almost sure to reevaluate all that I enjoyed (or not enjoyed) about the opera initially and look deeper and more thoroughly at this theatrical form of entertainment.
You have making of docs for movies, and of course reality television is rife with behind the scene programs that let you into the workings of a multitude of everyday businesses and corporations. But this film allows you to almost feel a part of a that operatic world without having experiencing it first hand.
It's humorous the types of folks - from all walks of life - who are (secretly?) opera singers. It's as though you found out your high school principal was moonlighting as a stripper. Not that I'm comparing these two forms of performing, but the eye opening reveal of who is a part of these productions, is still there. An example of someone you would most likely never suspect of being an opera singer who's profiled in this film: a truck driver!
If you enjoyed "Every Little Step" - the documentary on the recent Broadway production of A Chorus Line, then you'll be delighted, enthralled and emotional about this raw and fantastic film. "In The Shadow of The Stars" brings humanity and excitement to a world that is rarely revealed.