Carmen Burlesque is a short film directed and starring Charlie Chaplin, featuring Edna Purviance. It falls within the burlesque comedy genre, freely inspired by the famous novella Carmen by Prosper Mérimée, reimagined in a humorous and parodic style characteristic of Chaplin.
The plot offers an ironic reinterpretation of Carmen's story, transforming her passion, drama, and tragic fate into a series of gags and comic situations. Physical comedy and Chaplin’s remarkable mime skills are central to the narrative, with Edna Purviance adding grace and charm. Filmed at Keystone Studios in 1916, the film is notable for its brisk pace, expressive mime, and clever staging—elements that exemplify the slapstick cinema of that era.
During contemporary screenings, the film is accompanied by live music performed by the Taormina Zither Orchestra, enriching the visual experience with a lively and engaging soundscape that respects the spirit of the period. Carmen Burlesque is thus not only a historic work of silent cinema but also a bridge between past and present, capable of entertaining and captivating modern audiences through a universal language of comedy and irony.

Directed by: Charlie Chaplin. Story by: Charlie Chaplin (based on the novel Carmen by Prosper Mérimée). Screenplay by: Charlie Chaplin (adaptation and original screenplay).
Cast: Charlie Chaplin (Don José), Edna Purviance (Carmen).
Production: Keystone Studios.
Distribution: Mutual Film Corporation.
Origin: United States.
Year: 1916. Running time: 31 minutes.

Exclusive production by the Bellini Musical Association and La Zattera dell’Arte for the Messina Opera Film Festival