Les Miserables: Remixed

After watching the first two editions of Everything is a Remix in class, I went home and watched the two following episodes. It got me to thinking about a new film coming out that is definitely a remix. Les Miserables is a film coming out on Christmas day that chronicles the life of ex-convict and refugee Jean Valjean, Javert (the man trying to catch him), and the love triangle between orphaned Cosette, young soldier Marius, and peasant Eponine. It is set amongst the backdrop of the 19th century French Rebellion.

Les Miserables started out as a novel written by the French author Victor Hugo in the year 1862. Since then, the novel has been remade a multitude of times through a variety of different media (ex: comic books, films, animations), most notably the 1980's musical of the same name.

The new film is based off of the stage musical, as it will follow the same plot arrangement and musical numbers. I'm particularly excited by this remake as it is directed by Academy Award winning director Tom Hopper (The King's Speech). It also stars some big names such as Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried, and Anne Hathaway. All of the singing is done live on set, which is different than most musicals which are pre-recorded. After watching some featurette footage on the making of the film as well as the trailer, it looks really well done!

- Melanie Saitta