Two tapes, two Parisian mob killers, one corrupt policeman, an opera fan, a teenage thief, and the coolest philosopher ever filmed.
Director Jean-Jacques Beineix, most well-known for his sensual erotic romance Betty Blue (1986), launched the “Cinéma du look” movement with Diva, a stylish cult thriller that remains as visually striking today as when it premiered in 1981.
Jules (Frédéric Andréi), a young postal carrier, illegally tapes a concert of a reclusive opera singer (American soprano Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez). Jules’ attempts to woo the diva are interrupted when Taiwanese bootleggers come after the recording. His problems worsen when a prostitute slips another tape, one that incriminates a police chief, into his bag. Now, Jules must escape the police chief, the cop’s henchmen and the bootleggers to keep both precious tapes safe—and to stay alive.
Featuring a celebrated – and much imitated - chase through the Paris Metro and an early appearance by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Delicatessen 1991, Amélie 2001) favourite actor Dominique Pinon, Diva earned César Awards for Beineix, Vladimir Cosma’s (Le Bal 1983) sumptuous music and Philippe Rousselot’s (Henry & June 1990) visceral cinematography.
This new 4K restoration ofDIVAwas produced from the original 35mm negative and the sound negative. Scanned in 4K by TransPerfect Media, the image was then digitally graded and cleaned to remove imperfections from the original elements. This project was carried out by the Studiocanal team, Sophie Boyer and Jean-Pierre Boiget. Restoration and digitisation with the support of the CNC.
Thanks to STUDIOCANAL who will release the new restoration of DIVA on Blu-Ray and Ultra-high-definition on 6 October.
With an introduction by film historian, repertory programmer and video essayist Jonathan Bygraves.
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