Moscow`s iconic Bolshoi Theatre recently opened its hallowed doors not for a performance, but for the ambitious cinematic vision of director Anna Melikyan. Her new fantasy film, “Diva,” promises a blend of stunning visuals and sharp irony, with a production scale echoing past blockbusters and a unique approach to casting its grandest scenes.
For an entire day, from morning till late evening, the historic stage of the Bolshoi Theatre buzzed with activity, not of ballet or opera, but of film production. Anna Melikyan, known for her distinctive cinematic voice, was at the helm, orchestrating scenes for her much-anticipated film, “Diva.” The production team behind this project is the same one responsible for the visually opulent “Master and Margarita,” setting high expectations for “Diva” to be a spectacle of beauty and fantasy, a claim Melikyan herself has enthusiastically made, promising it will be her “most beautiful” and “ironic” film to date.
Redefining the “Diva”
The very concept of a “diva” is central to the film, drawing parallels with the “Diva” exhibition that originated at London`s Victoria and Albert Museum. This exhibition explored how the term, initially reserved for the most celebrated opera singers, expanded to encompass leading ladies of dramatic theatre and Hollywood stars. The historical figures highlighted included the likes of Maria Callas, Marilyn Monroe, Barbra Streisand, and even male icons such as Freddie Mercury, Prince, and Elton John, acknowledged for their larger-than-life personas. Notably, among these global legends, only one Russian name appeared: Tamara Karsavina, the prima ballerina of the Mariinsky Theatre and a star of Sergei Diaghilev`s Ballets Russes.
The original article notes with a touch of dry observation that while the historical divas` costumes might have been dazzling under stage lights, they often appeared less glamorous up close in museum showcases. Elton John`s famed cellophane-like cloak, for instance, once a stage marvel, perhaps lost some of its mystique under the harsh reality of a display case. Melikyan`s film, however, seems intent on restoring that theatrical magic.
A Fantasy Unfolds
While details about the film remain largely under wraps, Melikyan`s initial pitch provided a tantalizing glimpse into its narrative. “Diva” is described as an ironic fairy tale, a fantasy centered on a young girl possessing an extraordinary voice. She swiftly ascends to stardom within the country`s foremost opera house, a setting that could easily be either the Bolshoi or the Mariinsky. Her meteoric rise, however, doesn`t sit well with the established prima donnas, who naturally feel their positions threatened. In a twist straight out of a grand opera, the young prodigy drinks a magical elixir on stage, transforming her into a phantom. This spectral existence leads her to an encounter with a 19th-century conductor, himself in a similar ethereal state. Together, they must navigate and adapt to their new, otherworldly circumstances.
The Bolshoi`s Unusual Cast Members
A significant portion of the film’s grandeur relies on its mass audience scenes, for which “non-professional actors” were recruited via open calls. The irony, of course, is that many of these “non-professionals” were, in fact, seasoned extras, their faces recognizable from countless other film projects. This blending of seasoned background talent with genuine enthusiasts added a unique flavor to the set.
One particular scene captured involved an actress losing her voice mid-performance, leading to the curtain falling and a voice-over announcing her replacement by a “young actress Alexandra Miloshina” (whose identity is being kept a secret, adding to the intrigue). Melikyan`s voice, described as “enveloping,” guided the extras through their reactions, calling for a sense of “confusion” and then a realization of something “new, beautiful, and interesting” gracing the stage. The grand entrance of the new star, clad in a form-fitting golden gown with a spectacular red organza train, certainly aimed for visual impact.
The meticulousness extended to the audience itself. Extras were instructed to arrive in elaborate attire: sparkling gold and silver dresses, adorned with intricate headpieces and veils for the women, and dark suits with bowties, or even striking red three-piece ensembles, for the men. One young girl was noted for resembling Natasha Rostova at her first ball. This level of sartorial splendor led to an amusing observation: such attire is rarely seen at contemporary premieres even in the most prestigious opera houses like the Paris Garnier, Vienna State Opera, or New York`s Metropolitan Opera, where jeans and casual wear are increasingly common. But for Anna Melikyan`s “Diva,” everyday style simply wouldn`t do.
Behind the Scenes: Precision and Playfulness
The filming process was a marvel of organization, despite the large number of participants. The mass audience was periodically rearranged to simulate eight different opera performances, sometimes separating couples for the sake of cinematic variety. Even cardboard cutouts of audience members were strategically placed in the dimly lit hall, creating a surprisingly lifelike effect from a distance.
Amidst the precise directions, moments of human charm emerged. A stern crew member, ensuring the elaborate dress code was adhered to, famously reprimanded one extra for her handbag, declaring, “Take your bag away. You look like you came from the market. This is not how one attends the theatre.” She then objected to a “too dark” black jacket, ordering its removal. Yet, the overall atmosphere was one of camaraderie, with playful banter among the extras and gentle encouragements from the crew: “My beautiful ones, my darlings, take the first five rows,” and “My dear ones, you are in the frame.”
A Stellar Ensemble
The cast list for “Diva” is as impressive as its setting. Beyond the mystery lead, the film features renowned talents such as Yulia Snigir, the esteemed Vera Mayorova of the Malaya Bronnaya Theatre, Evgeny Tsyganov, Sofia Lebedeva, Andrey Maximov, Fedor Lavrov, and Ekaterina Voronina. Timofey Tribuntsev also makes an appearance, at one point waiting in a period coat for his cue, with all eyes on the “Diva” on stage, scattering flowers into the air, admired from a private box by a character humorously dubbed “Onassis” by the extras.
Behind the camera is young cinematographer Robert Sarukhanyan, a talent whose first feature film, “Centaur,” earned him the prestigious “White Square” award last year. Having previously worked on popular series, Sarukhanyan’s involvement signals a fresh visual approach for “Diva,” building on his early success and promising a truly cinematic experience. As the Bolshoi`s curtains temporarily close on this unique film set, the anticipation for Anna Melikyan`s “Diva” only continues to grow, promising a fantasy that is both grand and ironically human.
