Bel Canto

[AZAI]

I'm anxiously searching for some news about Bernardo Bertolucci....He must be filming/preparing something, because.....he's Bernardo Bertolucci. Anybody heard a rumour (or two) ?

[Dylan]

In a recent interview, he said that he was currently preparing a project, but that he didn't want to reveal anything about it since he felt it would jinx it. As one of my three favorite directors, I too look very forward to what he does next.

Dylan

[Arcadean]

I've felt Bertolucci has been slipping but I am still drawn to see his films. I'm definitely going to his next one anyway.

[Ovader]

Here is what I found about his upcoming production from Variety.

Bernardo Bertolucci is returning to the director's chair to helm "Bel Canto," a terrorism-themed tale set in an imaginary country in South America, based on U.S. writer Ann Patchett's eponymous novel.
Jeremy Thomas is developing the project with New York-based producer Caroline Baron ("Capote"), who brought Thomas rights to the Pen/Faulkner award-winning book.
Casting is still undetermined for "Canto," which has not been offered to distributors. Thomas said Italy's Medusa -- which has released Bertolucci's recent titles locally -- is as yet not on board.
Bertolucci is penning the script for "Canto."
In the book, a guerilla group enters a South American politician's villa via the airducts during a party while a famous soprano is singing, and take everyone hostage.

Apparently the film is using the insurrection of the Tupamaros in 1996-97 as a basis, when the guerrilla warriors held a large group of people hostage at the Japanese embassy in Lima. The story is told from the point of view of a woman, the opera singer, who is among the hostages. No word yet on when filming is due to start but some or all of the production will take place in the Peruvian capital Lima.

[Dylan]

From what I've read about the book, it sounds like an amazing story and utterly perfect ground for Bertolucci. It's probably my most eagerly awaited upcoming film. It will likely be released in the later half of 2007. I do await more information as it becomes available.

[justeleblanc]

The book was great, but I kind of pictured De Palma directing it.

[Dylan]

Yeah, it has that potential big opening music/visual set piece that we typically associate De Palma with, so I definitely see what you mean (and I'm a De Palma fan). Something tells me that Bertolucci has a lot of surprises in store here. It does seem unlike anything else he's ever done, but something about everything I've read about this book really shouts his name...perhaps it's the psychology of the scenario, which is something I believe nobody on Earth could explore as well as Bernardo. I think it has the potential of being one of his best.

[Ovader]

This project is on indefinate hold and Bertolucci is preparing for a film about Gesualdo da Venosa.

[Don Lope de Aguirre]

An Italian film in English. :-k Oh dear, it'll feel as strange as Polanski's filming of The Pianist

Still, I have high(ish) hopes for this film, even though his track record suggests I should know better!

[Der Müde Tod]

Werner Herzog's documentary Death for Five Voices is about Gesualdo as well and quite an interesting study of genius and insanity. I am really curious about Bertolucci's version.

[Ovader]

In a recent interview, he said that he was currently preparing a project, but that he didn't want to reveal anything about it since he felt it would jinx it. As one of my three favorite directors, I too look very forward to what he does next.

He must have revealed too much with two projects in hiatus. Too bad about his back problems as alluded to in the Guardian article from this thread. I was looking forward to these projects and there is no telling when things will improve.

The producers have put this project on hold indefinitely.

[Ovader]

Update on Bel Canto according to IMDb Pro is that the script is in active development as of July 7 of this year to be produced by A-Line Pictures for release in 2010. Bertolucci is not attached as Director nor is anyone else but BB is still to direct the film about Gesualdo da Venosa which as of June 3 of this year was assembling financing to be produced by Recorded Picture Company (RPC) with a release in 2011.