“Ken Russell's modern interpretation of Arrigo Boito's Il Mefestefele”
Arrigo Boito's most known work is Il Mefestefele, first performed in 1868. Russell's modern interpretation presented by the Genoese Opera has Faust as an ageing hippy, who smokes marijuana and is tormented by his lost youth. Mephisto bets God that he can turn anyone to pagan life, even someone as innocent as Faust. It becomes a battle of good against evil in a flamboyant, surreal display of primary colours, PVC costumes, nurses with swastikas, rocket trips, love and even characters dressed as Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse.
Where to watch
Not streaming anywhere
Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.
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Cast
15 people
Ken Russell Director · Arrigo Boito Writer Paul Dufficey Production designer
First release January 1, 1989 · Produced in Italy
Production
Valiant
Production
Italy
Produced in
Languages
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
Italian
Release dates
Italy · January 1, 1989
TV
No release date listed for United States.
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Some details come from TheTVDB.