Metafictional mise en abyme in Saura\u27s Carmen

In the 1983 film Carmen, Carlos Saura creatively refashions Mérimée\u27s novella and Bizet\u27s opera into an exciting new rendering of the Carmen myth. The foundation of this film rests on Mérimée\u27s narrative, which Saura admires for having the ability to convey a passionate love that still seems as fresh and expressive as it was in its own day (52). Since Saura views the plot modification introduced in Bizet\u27s opera as being a betrayal of Mérimée\u27s novella (55), he ignores the opera\u27s story line and concentrates instead on its music, which he describes as being very beautiful, truly inspired, and having moments that are both extraordinary and unforgettable (56). This double heritage of Mérimée\u27s plot and Bizet\u27s music provides the context within which Saura is able to introduce yet another art form -- dance -- through the brilliant choreography of Antonio Gades