original title:
Ai Weiwei's Turandot
directed by:
cast:
Ai Weiwei, Chiang Ching
screenplay:
cinematography:
producer:
production:
country:
Italy / USA / France
year:
2024
film run:
75'
format:
colour
status:
Ready (18/06/2024)
The documentary follows Chinese revolutionary artist and activist, Ai Weiwei, during his operatic directorial debut at the Rome Opera House, as he draws on revered Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s masterpiece, Turandot, as a backdrop to project the many issues that plague mankind including the Ukraine war, refugee crises, the Covid pandemic, and more. One hundred years later, the film shows not only that Puccini’s opera is still as vital and relevant as ever, but also according to esteemed choreographer, Chiang Ching – his life-long friend featured in the film, that it is a reflection of Ai Weiwei’s life as well, and a fitting project for an artist known for his installations, sculpture and photography that denounce authority and champion human rights and freedom of expression.