Bel Canto (film)

Bel Canto is a 2018 American drama film directed by Paul Weitz, starring Julianne Moore, Ken Watanabe, Sebastian Koch, and Christopher Lambert. It is based on the 2001 novel Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, which in turn was inspired by the Japanese embassy hostage crisis in Lima, Peru, in 1996-1997.

The film tells the story of Roxane Coss (Moore), a famous American opera singer, who is invited to perform at a private birthday party in an unnamed South American country. During the party, the vice president's mansion is seized by a guerilla group demanding the release of their imprisoned comrades. The hostages, including Roxane and a wealthy Japanese businessman, Katsumi Hosokawa (Watanabe), are held for months.

As the standoff continues, unexpected bonds develop between the hostages and their captors. Roxane's singing provides solace and a sense of shared humanity in the tense environment. The film explores themes of cultural exchange, communication barriers, the power of art, and the unexpected connections that can arise in times of crisis. It also delves into the motivations of the guerilla fighters and the human cost of political conflict. The film differs from the novel in several significant plot points and character development.