NCPA International Opera Film Exhibition unveils dazzling lineup

The 2024 NCPA International Opera Film Exhibition is set to captivate audiences from May 20 to July 31, offering a cinematic extravaganza that spans 24 Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, with 300 screening venues illuminating the cultural landscape of China. Moreover, the event will extend its reach to over 20 universities, hosting 30 special screenings to engage and inspire the younger generation with the enchanting world of opera cinema.

Organized under the World Association for Performing Arts — a nonprofit entity established by the NCPA in 2019, uniting 30 art institutions from 19 countries — the exhibition stands as a beacon of global artistic exchange. Featuring a diverse selection of 14 opera films from esteemed art institutions worldwide, the event promises a rich tapestry of cultural experiences.

Among the highlights are iconic opera productions including Georges Bizet's Carmen, Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata, and Jules Massenet's Thais by the NCPA, as well as Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly from the Royal Opera House and La Fanciulla del West from the Metropolitan Opera.

Adding a touch of local flair, the exhibition will showcase two film adaptations of classic Peking Opera pieces: Zhuo Fang Cao (Capturing and Releasing Cao Cao) by artists from the Shanghai Jingju Theatre Company and Madam Liang Hongyu by the China National Peking Opera Company. Leveraging cutting-edge movie technologies, these Peking Opera films magnify the beauty and grandeur of this centuries-old art form, seamlessly blending singing, dancing, martial arts, and drama.

Guan Jianbo, vice-president of the NCPA, emphasized the event's evolution since its inception in 2016, offering audiences a unique and immersive platform to savor stage productions. In its seventh edition, this collaboration with the China Film Group marks a milestone, expanding the reach of the screenings beyond Beijing to numerous cities across China.

Director Hou Keming, a distinguished professor at the Beijing Film Academy, highlighted the event's significance in bringing international talent together to enchant broader audiences.