The Turandot Project

Documentary filmmaker Allan Miller was hired to film behind the scenes of one of the most ambitious cultural events in the world when the Chinese government allowed Puccini's opera "Turandot" to be performed at the Forbidden City in Beijing. Chinese director Zhang Yimou was hired to direct the event by conductor Zubin Mehta to bring authenticity to the famous opera based on a Chinese fable. Miller observes the East and West culture clash between the various talents who wants to stay true to their roots with the Europeans more focused on the music while the Chinese on proper display of their culture. It's all good and interesting but Miller fails to bring more of the Puccini music in the film except for brief excerpts here and there. YRCinema's coverage of films on DVD.