In 2008, in Covent Garden, David McVicar's rendition of Richard Strauss's Salomé was clearly the most expected. The Scottish stage director had already created numerous successful operas for the British scene; now, his talent is recognized worldwide. This movie details the production of Richard Strauss's opera, based on Oscar Wilde's play. It is a musical adaptation of the biblical episode where Salomé dances for Herod, her father-in-law, in exchange for John the Baptist's head. Mc Vicar and the Royal Opera gave director Nigel Wattis an uncommon access to the creative process.

16 months before, at the beginning of the shooting, Mc Vicar had already decided to base his production on the aesthetics of Pasolini's movie Salo, or the 120 days of Sodom, which takes place in fascist Italy. The obscenity of the movie was such that is was banned from the screens for 25 years.

• Watch David Mc Vicar's Salome at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.