Evita (1996 film)
Evita is a 1996 American
musical drama film based on the 1976
concept album of the same name produced by
Tim Rice and
Andrew Lloyd Webber, which also inspired a
1978 musical. The film depicts the life of
Eva Perón, detailing her beginnings, rise to fame, political career and death at the age of 33. Directed by
Alan Parker, and written by Parker and
Oliver Stone,
Evita stars
Madonna as Eva,
Jonathan Pryce as Eva's husband
Juan Perón, and
Antonio Banderas as Ché, an
everyman who acts as the film's narrator.
Following the release of the 1976 album, a
film adaptation of the musical became mired in
development hell for more than fifteen years, as the rights were passed on to several major studios, and various directors and actors considered. In 1993, producer
Robert Stigwood sold the rights to
Andrew G. Vajna, who agreed to finance the film through his production company
Cinergi Pictures, with
the Walt Disney Studios distributing the film through
Hollywood Pictures. After Stone stepped down from the project in 1994, Parker agreed to write and direct the film. Recording sessions for the songs and
soundtrack took place at CTS Studios in London, England, roughly four months before filming. Parker worked with Rice and Lloyd Webber to compose the soundtrack, reworking the original songs by creating the music first and then the lyrics. They also wrote a new song, "
You Must Love Me", for the film.
Principal photography commenced in February 1996 with a budget of $55 million, and concluded in May of that year. Filming took place on locations in
Buenos Aires and
Budapest, and on soundstages at
Shepperton Studios. The film's production in Argentina was met with controversy, as the cast and crew faced protests over fears that the project would tarnish Eva's image.
Evita premiered at the
Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on December 14, 1996. Hollywood Pictures gave the film a
platform release, which involved releasing it in select cities before expanding distribution in the following weeks. The film had a
limited release on December 25, 1996, before opening
nationwide on January 10, 1997. It grossed over $141 million worldwide. The film received a mixed critical response; reviewers praised Madonna's performance, the music, costume designs and cinematography, while criticism was aimed at the pacing and direction.
Evita received many awards and nominations, including the
Academy Award for Best Original Song ("You Must Love Me"), and three
Golden Globe Awards for
Best Picture – Comedy or Musical,
Best Original Song ("You Must Love Me") and
Best Actress – Comedy or Musical (Madonna).
Source:
wikipedia
