In 2017,
Roland Emmerich's
Centropolis Entertainment and Flimmer began to co-produce a modern-day adaptation of Mozart's opera, the brainchild of Florian Sigl and Christopher Zwickler. Emmerich and Zwickler produced, Sigl directed, while Andrew Lowery wrote the screenplay.[3]Dan Maag and Fabian Wolfart of Pantaleon Films joined as producers at the
68th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2018.[4]
Pixomondo created the film's VFX. The project received funds from both Austria and Germany.[5]
Co-producers include Tim Oberwelland, Theodor Gringel, Peter Eiff and Tobias Alexander Seiffert of Tobis Film as well as
Stefan Konarske of Quinta Media.
Casting
The cast was announced in February 2021, with Iwan Rheon, Jack Wolfe, Asha Banks and Amir Wilson starring. Opera stars Sabine Devieilhe, Rolando Villazón and Morris Robinson would feature. Other cast members include F. Murray Abraham, Stéfi Celma,[6] Jeanne Goursaud, Jasmin Shakeri, Lary, and
Stefan Konarske.[7]
"
I'll Be There" (
Jackson 5): The original track is heard early in the film, then is played on piano and sung by Tim and Sophie.
"
Time to Say Goodbye": Tim performs this as part of his introduction to the school.
"Outweigh Your Love": Performed during the end credits by Madeleine and
Wankelmut.
Release
Sola Media has the rights to international distribution.[8] First look stills were revealed in October 2021.[9] The film premiered at the 2022
Zurich Film Festival.[10] It received a theatrical release on 10 March 2023 through
Shout! Studios.[11]
Reception
The film received mixed reviews. Review aggregator website
Rotten Tomatoes reports a 50% score, based on 18 reviews, with an average rating of 5.4/10.[12]