| Carmen | |
| Director: | Vicente Aranda |
| Producer: | Juan Alexander |
| Starring: | Paz Vega, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Antonio Dechent, Joan Crosas, Jay Benedict |
| Music: | José Nieto |
| Cinematography: | Paco Femenia |
| Editing: | Teresa Font |
| Distributor: | The Walt Disney Company |
| Released: |  October 3 2003 |
| Runtime: | 119 min |
| Country: | Spain |
| Language: | Spanish, Basque, French |
| Internet Movie Database entry 0352230 | |
Carmen is a 2003 film about the classical romance of the same name by Prosper Mérimée. Director Vicente Aranda bases the plot on Mérimée's original novella from 1847 (i.e. prior to Bizet's opera from 1875), changing some details about the love story between Carmen (Paz Vega) and José (Leonardo Sbaraglia). Further adaptations include the introduction of author Mérimée (Jay Benedict) into the plot, who is portrayed as a French author who finds the "real" Carmen in early 19th century Spain, and changing José's nationality from French to Basque.
While the quality of technical realization and costumes was acknowledged, viewers criticized the actors' performance, the lack of chemistry between the two main characters, and problems of the plot.[1] [2] [3] The film is rated in several countries for scenes including nudity.
The film was voted the People's Favourite Film at the 2004 Birmingham Screen Festival.[4]