08/08/2014 - The operatic film starring John Malkovich is a co-production by Portuguese Paulo Branco and is based on Giacomo Casanova’s memoires

Casanova Variations [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Austrian director Michael Sturminger will compete for the Golden Shell in the 62nd edition of the San Sebastian Film Festival (19-27 September), festival organisers announced yesterday (read more).

Produced by Paulo Branco for Lisbon-based Leopardo Filmes, in co-production with France (Alfama Films), Germany (X Filme Creative Pool) and Austria (AMOUR FOU Vienna, Ulrich Seidl Film Produktion), the movie is based on Giacomo Casanova’s memoires, Story of my life, as well as on some opera arias composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Lorenzo da Ponte. The tale of the legendary seducer is told using both fiction and theatrical performances that reveal his adventures, passions and, above all, his fear of death. 

American actor John Malkovich – whose gallery of characters includes unforgettable French tragic seducer Valmont from Dangerous Liaisons – this time plays Venetian adventurer Casanova, alongside German Veronica Ferres, who as well as acting in the film is also co-producer.

Filmed entirely in Portugal, at the São Carlos National Theatre among other locations, Casanova Variations also boasts the participation of Portuguese actresses Maria João Bastos, Victória Guerra and Maria João Luís, along with various opera singers - among them popular German tenor Jonas Kauffmann.

After screening in San Sebastian, Casanova Variations will be released in Portugal on 20 November.

(Translated from Spanish)