Directed by Jean-Jacques Beineix, Diva was one the first French films to let go of the realist, harsh mood of 1970s French cinema and return to the gorgeous, colourful, melodic films.

Its story is convoluted and better ignored than detailed, but the cinematography, musical score and in short all the surface visual elements are there to make this a great movie.

Some of its ideas were truly original, such as the gangsters being Taiwanese, the protagonist being a mailman, the illicit commodity being pirated music, etc.

If nothing else, this movie creates a surreal mood and scenery and does not let the viewer down. It can be called a precursor to movies such as City of Lost Children, Amelie, and even Tim Burton's later creations.