Synopsis

In turn-of-the-century New York, a repertory theater company struggles to stage a new play by its resident playwright, Tuccio. When the company rejects the work, Tuccio seeks help from a powerful critic, while romantic entanglements and rivalries spread through the troupe. As actors, producers, and lovers blur the boundaries between performance and real life, the production becomes an eccentric backstage farce.

Factoids & Trivia

• Illuminata was adapted from Brandon Cole's play Imperfect Love. John Turturro co-wrote the screenplay with Cole.

• The film was Turturro's second feature as a director, following Mac (1992).

• Turturro conceived the story as a period portrait of a theatrical troupe and cited the films of Jean Renoir as an influence.

• Illuminata premiered at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Palme d'Or.

• The production's stage-world atmosphere extends to puppet sequences created by puppeteer Roman Paska.

• The music combines work by composers Arnold Black and William Bolcom. Richard Termini composed the music for Tuccio's operatic dream sequence.

• The film was released theatrically in the United States on August 6, 1999, by Artisan Entertainment.