Carmen (2003 film)

Carmen is a 2003 Spanish drama film directed by Vicente Aranda. The script was written by Aranda and Joaquim Jord adapting the classic romance of the same name by Prosper Mrime. Director Vicente Aranda based the plot on Mrimes original 1847 novella about jealousy and passion, not its famous operatic adaptation by Bizet from 1875, changing some details about the love story between Carmen Paz Vega and Jos Leonardo Sbaraglia. As in the novella, author Mrime Jay Benedict is portrayed as a French writer who finds the real Carmen in early 19th century Spain.

Jos Lizarrabengoa, a serious and proper Basque sergeant in the Spanish army, is stationed in Crdoba. Next to his military headquarters there is a cigar factory where Carmen, a sultry young woman, works. Half gipsy half witch, Carmen is beautiful, flirtatious and has a tempestuous temper. During an argument instigated by Fernanda, a fellow factory worker who has called her gipsy, Carmen retaliates against her rival by slashing Fernandas face with a knife. Carmen is arrested and Jos is left in charge of her custody. On the way to prison, Carmen flirts with Jos and he consents to allow her to escape his payback is the promise for a night of passion with her. Joss breach of military discipline results in his losing his rank and being imprisoned for a while. Carmen keeps her pact, providing Jos with his first sexual encounter. He is dazzled with the sexual delight to which she introduces him and he cant keep her out of his mind. Jos encounters Carmen again while he is in Seville guarding the entrance to the city. Carmen seduces him once more. Jos turns a blind eye to Carmens smuggler friends, allowing them to pass his post and, as a reward, she pays him with sex.Without her work at the factory, Carmen is now not only part of a ring of smugglers but supplements her income by prostitution. Blanca, the experienced madame who runs the house Carmen uses for her sexual encounters, warns Jos against Carmen. She has a shady past and a devilish nature, but it is too late for Jos. He is already deeply in love. That same night, Jos waits in vain for Carmen in the brothel. She appears late, arriving in the company of his lieutenant. Furious, Jos challenges his superior to a sword fight and kills the man. ........

Source: Wikipedia