Carmen: A Hip Hopera Movie Review 2001

Modernized and urban set version of Bizet's tragic opera, originally made for MTV. Carmen (Knowles) is the femme fatale who seduces straight-laced cop Derek Hill (Phifer) to keep herself out of jail. He abandons everything to follow her to California, where, naturally, Carmen wants to break into show biz. But she tires of Derek's devotion and becomes interested in an up-and-coming rapper. Surprisingly effective and the cast does a fine job.

Distribution

New Line Home Video, 116 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, Phone: (310)854-5811, Fax: (310)854-1824, URL: http://www.newline.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 88 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

African America, Adapted from an Opera, Hip-Hop/Rap, Femme Fatale, Musical Drama

Screenplay

Michael Elliot

Cast

Beyonce Knowles, Mekhi Phifer, Dante "Mos Def" Beze, Rah Digga, Bow Wow, Wyclef Jean, Troy Winbush

Cinematography

Geary McLeod

Director

Robert Townsend

Music

Kip Collins

Other

Da Brat