Coming to Cinema Nouveau screened by Fish Eagle Brandy sites this July 24 is the Met Opera's 'The Audition', which debuted in the United States last April.

South African opera music lovers and filmgoers are set to enjoy a beautifully crafted documentary that captures the nerve-wrecking process these young singers go through in preparation for their audition.

Every year, aspiring opera singers in America participate in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions — a coveted event where only five to six of the thousands of talented entrants win $15,000, a chance to perform on the Metropolitan Opera's stage, and the looming possibility of launching an operatic career.

The Audition, directed by award-winning filmmaker Susan Froemke, looks at the intense pressures young opera singers face as they struggle to succeed in one of the most difficult professions in the performing arts.

It covers the dramatic week leading up to the finals of the 2007 auditions, focusing on three very different tenor contestants: Michael Fabiano, a fiery 22-year-old grappling with his inner demons; Alek Shrader, a 25-year-old with movie-star looks who attempts to sing nine high Cs in the fiendishly difficult aria that made Pavarotti a star; and Ryan Smith, who at the age of 30, and with little formal training, is pursuing his dream of an operatic career.

The Audition is both a suspenseful competition narrative and a revealing backstage look at what it takes to make it as an opera singer.

Cinema Nouveau screened by Fish Eagle offers customers a variety of booking options, including online bookings, now also on your mobile phone, or by calling TicketLine at 082 16789 (value-added service rates apply). You can also book in cinema at the self-service terminals (SSTs) or at the box-office.

The novel Touchmart Transaction Access Points (TAP) now offer an even easier means of booking a movie ticket, and are located nationally with convenient access from supermarkets to civic centres.