Movie spotlight
The Skating Rink
An opera by David Sawer and Rory Mullarkey, based on a novel by Roberto Bolaño. A local civil servant’s obsession with a beautiful figure skater drives him to embezzle funds to build her a secret ice rink. When an unlikely group of characters discovers them, tension mounts until a murder on the ice unravels everything. Garsington Opera‘s commission The Skating Rink, written by leading British composer David Sawer with award-winning playwright Rory Mullarkey, premiered in July 2018. Based on Chilean author Roberto Bolaño’s novel it tells the thrilling tale of jealousy, political corruption and the lengths we go to for the ones we love.
Insights
Plot Summary
A lonely, somewhat naive young woman named Ana lives a quiet life, working in a skating rink. Her existence takes a dark turn when she becomes entangled with a charismatic but dangerous man, leading her into a world of crime and deceit. As the situation escalates, Ana must confront the consequences of her choices and fight for her survival.
Critical Reception
The Skating Rink received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its tense atmosphere, strong performances, and exploration of dark themes. While some found the pacing to be deliberate, the film was largely commended for its gripping narrative and unflinching portrayal of its protagonist's descent.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its unsettling atmosphere and suspenseful narrative.
Commended for strong performances, particularly from the lead actress.
Noted for its dark and psychological themes.
Google audience: Audience reception for 'The Skating Rink' is not widely available through Google reviews, making it difficult to summarize specific likes or dislikes.
Fun Fact
Director Manuel Martín Cuenca previously directed the critically acclaimed film 'The Motocross Rider'.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources