The Human Voice
La Voix humaine
Synopsis
La Voix Humaine is a concerto for soprano and orchestra, centering on the break-up of a relationship by telephone. It represents one side of a conversation between a young woman (sung by American soprano, Julia Migenes) and her lover, who has jilted her. In a 1930s, Parisian apartment, a woman is seen making for the door. As she passes the telephone, it rings. From now on she sings, sitting, standing, on her knees, pacing up and down the room, pulling at the telephone cord, going through every emotion until ultimately, in despair, she takes her own life. Jean Cocteau wrote, it is not just that the telephone is sometimes more dangerous than the revolver but that its tangled cord drains us of our strength, while giving us nothing in return.
Top Cast
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Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Peter Medak
- Screenplay & Story
- Jean Cocteau
- Original Title
- La Voix humaine
- Country of Origin
- France
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 51m
- Production Studios
- Erato Films, Radio France, France 2, WDR, CNC
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Peter Medak
Jean Cocteau
Department Leadership Roster
Peter Medak
Director
Jean Cocteau
Writer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Human Voice.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Human Voice
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Human Voice about?
La Voix Humaine is a concerto for soprano and orchestra, centering on the break-up of a relationship by telephone. It represents one side of a conversation between a young woman (sung by American soprano, Julia Migenes) and her lover, who has jilted her. In a 1930s, Parisian apartment, a woman is seen making for the door. As she passes the telephone, it rings. From now on she sings, sitting, standing, on her knees, pacing up and down the room, pulling at the telephone cord, going through every emotion until ultimately, in despair, she takes her own life. Jean Cocteau wrote, it is not just that the telephone is sometimes more dangerous than the revolver but that its tangled cord drains us of our strength, while giving us nothing in return.
Who directed The Human Voice?
The Human Voice was directed by Peter Medak.
Who stars in The Human Voice?
The principal cast of The Human Voice includes Julia Migenes.
When was The Human Voice released and how long is it?
The Human Voice was released in 1990 with a total runtime of 51m.