M. Butterfly

Presented in partnership with Vancouver Opera, this special screening of M. Butterfly invites audiences to explore the complex relationship between opera, theatre, and identity.

David Cronenberg’s adaptation of David Henry Hwang’s Tony Award-winning play reimagines Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, unraveling themes of deception, cultural fantasy, and the power of performance. Loosely based on true events, the long love affair between a French diplomat (played by Jeremy Irons) and a Peking Opera star (John Lone), the film challenges the Western gaze and the myths perpetuated by opera, turning the tragic love story on its head.

“This is a film that asks us to look deeper—at how we construct identity, at the stories we tell about love and power, and at the seductive illusions we choose to believe. M. Butterfly is in direct conversation with Madama Butterfly, making it an essential part of our engagement series as we revisit Puccini’s opera with fresh eyes,” says Ashley Daniel Foot, Director of Engagement and Civic Practice at Vancouver Opera.

Joining the conversation is Japanese-Canadian baritone Luka Kawabata, who will share his perspective on Madama Butterfly’s Orientalism and its impact. As an artist of Japanese heritage, he’ll offer personal reflections on the opera’s portrayal of Japanese culture and what it means to engage with these narratives today.

Vancouver Opera presents Madama Butterfly, April 26 – May 4.

Co-Presented with