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Animated Film 'Viva Carmen' Reimagines Bizet's Opera with New Music and Cast

EntertainmentCulture5/21/2026
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Director Sébastien Laudenbach's new animated film, 'Viva Carmen', is a fresh adaptation of Bizet's classic opera, set in 1845 Seville. The production features original music by Amine Bouhafa and Isabelle Laudenbach, incorporating traditional Spanish instruments and an all-female flamenco band. Voice recordings are underway, with Camélia Jordana voicing Carmen in French and Silvia Pérez Cruz set for the Spanish version.

Facts First

  • Sébastien Laudenbach directs 'Viva Carmen', an animated adaptation of Bizet's 'Carmen'.
  • The film is set in 1845 Seville and follows a teenager named Salva who tries to change a prophecy to save Carmen.
  • Original music was created by Amine Bouhafa and Isabelle Laudenbach, using traditional Spanish instruments and an all-female flamenco band.
  • Camélia Jordana voices Carmen in the French version, while singer Silvia Pérez Cruz will voice the character in Spanish.
  • The film is a Folivari production in association with Haut et Court Distribution and Global Constellation.

What Happened

Director Sébastien Laudenbach has directed the animated film 'Viva Carmen', a new adaptation based on Bizet's opera 'Carmen'. The film follows a teenager named Salva and a group of street kids who attempt to change a prophecy to save Carmen.

Why this Matters to You

If you enjoy animated films, opera, or world music, 'Viva Carmen' may offer a unique cinematic experience. The film's music uses traditional Spanish instruments and collaborations with artists like singer Silvia Pérez Cruz may bring authentic cultural elements to the story.

What's Next

Recording for the Spanish version of the film is the next immediate step, with Isabelle Laudenbach scheduled to work with singer Silvia Pérez Cruz on recording Carmen's voice. Following this, the completed film will be distributed by the associated production companies. Separately, director Sébastien Laudenbach and co-director Chiara Malta are currently developing a new project about animals.

Perspectives

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The Filmmaker describes 'Viva Carmen' as a 'strange project' that prioritizes sensations and feelings over educational content, aiming to portray Carmen as a real woman driven by freedom rather than a mere icon.
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The Filmmaker maintains that children deserve to experience the world's complexity and that films should be accessible to them without being 'adapted' or pandered to.
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The Filmmaker critiques the trend toward realism in animation, suggesting that the medium should instead focus on sensations and that AI offers optimistic possibilities for new types of representation.
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The Filmmaker observes that modern standards have shifted such that a studio like Disney would likely avoid producing a film like 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' today.