Roxane Coss, a famous American soprano, travels to South America to give a private concert at the birthday party of rich Japanese industrialist Katsumi Hosokawa.

Just as a handsome gathering of local dignitaries convenes at Vice-President Ruben Ochoa's mansion, including French Ambassador Thibault and his wife, Hosokawa's faithful translator Gen, and Russian trade delegate Fyodorov, the house is taken over by guerrillas led by Comandante Benjamin demanding the release of their imprisoned comrades.

[3] In August 2016, it was announced that Julianne Moore, Ken Watanabe and Demián Bichir joined the cast of the film, with Paul Weitz directing, from a screenplay he wrote alongside Anthony Weintraub, based upon the novel of the same name.

Caroline Baron, Weintraub, Weitz and Andrew Miano will serve as producers on the film, under their A-Line Pictures and Depth of Field banners, respectively.

The website's critics consensus reads: "Bel Canto's reach occasionally exceeds its ambitious grasp in terms of juggling themes and tones, but it's held together by palpable emotion and a pair of strong leads.