U-Carmen EKhayelitsha (2006) Synopsis:
U-Carmen eKhayelitsha is a feature film adaptation of Bizet’s opera, sung in Khosa and set in the South African township of Khayelitsha which is home to half a million people. The story of Carmen has over the years inspired a diversity of interpretations in film and theatre all over the world. Director Mark Dornford-May's adaptation is an impressive and entertaining film that relocates this tale of the love affair between Carmen and Don José in Khayelitsha, a shantytown in South Africa against the backdrop of the hardship suffered by those who live in it. Framed within an atmospherical environment of gangsters and shebeens this interpretation is a celebration of South African dramatic art at its best.
U-Carmen EKhayelitsha (2006) Movie Review:
A Cape Town theatre company adapts Bizet's Carmen for the big screen, sung in the Xhosa language while maintaining the sensual energy and culture of the township setting. It's a staggering achievement--a skilful film that brings an old story to life while giving us a new glimpse of life in South Africa.
The fiery-eyed diva Carmen (Malefane) works in a cigarette factory in the Khayelitsha township. Men are fascinated by her; women are sick of her vampy ways. She catches the eye of young police officer Jongi (Tshoni), who has a troubled past he can possibly sort out by marrying his brother's widow. But Carmen works her wily ways on him, convincing him to join her band of smuggler friends. Then a local boy made good, the opera singer Lulamile (Kedama), comes back for a triumphant concert, and the community has a new focus. As does Carmen.
Using Bizet's original music, the filmmakers adapt the songs to the settings brilliantly; Xhosa has a beautiful musicality to it, and the subtitles are easy to follow. The performers also manage something virtually impossible: they create earthy, believable characters while singing opera in the dusty streets. It's absolutely jaw-dropping--bracingly authentic and wonderfully artistic at the same time, with acting that's cinematically layered and detailed, never remotely stagy.
In addition to translating the lyrics and writing the English subtitles, Malefane gives a lively, wrenchingly powerful performance as the spicy, fickle Carmen. We can easily see why men fall for her ample figure and teasing smile. The only minor problem is that the plot itself has a couple of badly ill-defined jumps in it; we're never sure what happens to trigger the final series of events between Carmen and Jongi, which badly weakens the final emotional punch.
Anyone familiar with the story won't have a problem, but this makes it slightly incomplete as a film. Even so, this is magical filmmaking that works on all sorts of levels. The portrayal of South African society is jolting and engaging, with generous doses of bawdy humour and grit, including a jab at the concept of idyllic 'freedom'. Simply unmissable.
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U-Carmen EKhayelitsha (2006) review written by: Rich Cline
6th September, 2008 
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