At a time when Japan is being rapped over the knuckles by the U.N. for hate-speech rallies against ethnic Koreans, a movie like "The Tenor: Lirico Spinto" takes on special significance. Directed by Kim Sang-man, "The Tenor" (released here as "The Tenor: Shinjitsuno Monogatari") is a collaborative project between Japan and South Korea that brings together actors Yusuke Iseya and Yoo Ji-tae in a film based on the real-life tale of South Korean tenor Bae Jae-chul.
At the peak of his career, Bae was ranked among the top 10 opera singers in the world, but in 2005, at the age of 35, he collapsed on stage during a performance of "Othello." He was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and subsequent surgery caused catastrophic damage to his vocal cords. No one thought he would sing again, but Bae's Japanese producer, Koji Sawada, persuaded the singer to undergo surgery in Kyoto. Three years later, Bae staged a triumphant return to opera and continues singing today.
The film's title refers to a tenor voice that's versatile enough to sing in the style of a lirico, a singer with a softer, mild voice, and a spinto, one with darkness and dramatic power. Bae had the rare ability to sing both.