COSI (2000)

                                                                    Written By Louis Nowra
                                                                 Directed By Michael Veltman

Synopsis:

There is much in Cosi that is honest and revealing about relationships and the pains and struggle life, and how painful realities can burden us to the point where our ability to function is impaired.

Working in a mental institution, Lewis, a young director, takes on a task of mounting a production of "Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte", with patients who live there-to be preformed in a burnt out theatre while protests against war are being staged outside.
 
As his life is touched by these extra-ordinary people and the operatic production lurches forward, we learn, along with Lewis, that when chasing dreams it helps to be crazy. On one level, Cosi is a poignant look at life through the eyes of patients at a mental institution. On another, it's a hilarious take on the madness of creative endeavour and the chaotic terror of getting up there and making a fool of yourself.