Genre
Synopsis
What begins as an introduction into the lives and lifestyles of four diverse and devoted opera singers moves into a suspenseful and first-of-a-kind, high-stakes narrative as each singer strives to gain leading roles in premiere operas staged around the world. Within this competitive art form, ARIA presents each young artist's diverse background, revealing their personal and artistic struggles, and showing how the industry threatens to change them forever or crush their dreams. Viewers learn little-known facts about opera, its history, pitfalls and the physical and emotional challenges the singers face as they step forward and risk rejection at every audition. The viewer is a stranger in a strange and fascinating land, watching young talent succeed or fail creating their careers while sometimes meeting dire consequences, especially when challenging an age-old industry. Personal lives and the singers' careers play out in seven cities around the U.S. Opera performances come alive with symphonies, voices, and glittering sets, illuminating the art and magic of classics and upcoming composers. Aria is a hero's journey in song.
Bio
Karen Day is a director and producer of films tackling a wide range of social justice topics, from behind the scenes stories about striving opera singers to grassroots initiatives to end childhood malnutrition with Harvard students, to the historic internment of the Japanese Americans during World War II. One commonality of Day's films is they all focus on the determination and resilience of the human spirit. Her films are currently distributed by Women Make Movies and have been acquired by more than 100 international universities in women's studies, health care, and social justice curriculum. A former warzone journalist for NBC, CNN and BBC, she currently resides in Boise and is the publisher of IdaHome Magazines. Day is also the winner of the Governor's Award for the Idaho Arts for her filmmaking.
Screening History
Premiere Available
