Carmen on Ice (1990)

Carmen on Ice is a 1990 figure skating dance film, directed by Horant H. Hohlfeld, written by Horant H. Hohlfeld and produced by Thomas Bürger. Starring Katarina Witt, Brian Boitano and Brian Orser.

The music is based on the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet in an orchestral version arranged especially for this film by Bert Grund. The story of Carmen on Ice is very similar to the opera Carmen.

Carmen on Ice was filmed in Spain and Germany, citizens of Sevilla and Berlin played bit parts. In 1988 Katarina Witt, who played the title role, had won her second olympic gold medal at the winter games in Calgary with a free skating to Carmen. Brian Boitano, who played the part of Don José, became Olympic champion in the same year followed by Brian Orser, the Olympic silver medallist of 1988 and actor playing Escamillo. Carmen on Ice won the Emmy-Award for Outstanding Performance in a Classical Music or Dance Program in 1990. The award was shared by the films three stars, Boitano, Orser and Witt.

The choreography by Sandra Bezic and Michael Seibert (figure skater) was influenced by elements of classical ballet and flamenco as well. During the rehearsals the skaters were also coached by flamenco dancer Cristina Hoyos.