La Scala: The Force of Destiny

Anissa Bonnefont’s atmospheric documentary follows 900 artists, staff and technicians at Milan’s legendary Teatro alla Scala over four months as they race to stage a new production of Verdi's The Force of Destiny for the theatre’s traditional 7 December Opening Night gala. Inside La Scala's creative hive, stage director Leo Muscato readies his vision with the set and costume design teams, as the chorus and orchestra rehearse under maestro Riccardo Chailly, and theatre staff prepare the 250-year-old venue. There is added anticipation with the arrival of the star international cast, set to fill the theatre's hallowed halls with their powerful voices. But with the clock ticking, the tension backstage builds. Will they be ready when the curtain rises? Filmed with unprecedented access, La Scala: The Force of Destiny is more than a behind‑the‑scenes chronicle. Beautifully capturing the remarkable endeavour of staging a major new production, it reveals the passion, apprehension and brilliance of these artists, and celebrates the grandeur and preciousness of the artform.

Born in 1984 in Paris, France, Anissa Bonnefont is a director and writer. She is known for her documentaries Wonder Boy (2019), about fashion designer Olivier Rousteing, which was nominated for a César Award, and Nadia (2021), about footballer Nadia Nadim. Her first feature-length fiction film was The House (2022), adapted from Emma Becker’s autobiographical novel.