I went and saw the preview screening of the epic film, Agora this week. And the word, epic barely describes this 70 million dollar budgeted film - the cinematography is fantastic.
Agora tells the story about the rise of Christianity in 4th-century Alexandria. If you have an interest in philosophy, history, culture and well directed, acted and produced cinematic films, I recommend adding this film to your list of must sees. I will warn you though, it’s bloody…think Romans and Christians… and we all know what they did – yes, bloody.
The focus on this story was about the philosophical teachings of the woman philosopher, Hypatia, played by the very beautiful, and very talented, Rachel Weisz.
Historically speaking, pagan philosophers spent a lot time in Alexandria and even more particularly, the Alexandria Library, which was really more like a compound. These philosophers conducted teachings to students in things like, mathematics, physics, and astronomy, each leading to questioning the ways of world –
As religion took its hold over everything it possibly could, Hypatia was persecuted for being different; for never marrying and choosing to study her passion for philosophy. She was of course, persecuted for being un-Godly and in the end; she was rendered a witch and stoned to death. I told you this film was bloody, didn’t I?
In spite of the violence, the softer message in this film was Hypatia’s ability to go against the odds; to rise above the chaos and violence, because of what she believed in, even though it was different than what everyone else thought, or what everyone else told her to think.
For me, a non-follower, and a forever questioner of beliefs, I believe that a little bit of Hypatia lives in each of us today -
Feeling the spirit of Hypatia -
Neve Black
Oh, and I should mention the men in this film are so sexy that I wanted to get as close to the screen as possible and lick each of them up…yum, yum, yum…
Well, this story is on my list now. My fascination of the ancient world and quality movie-making, and my tendency to not be a follower, make this instantly irresistible. I’m familiar with the story of Hypatia, and I’m curious to see how the movie covers it.
Thank you for the review!
Faaah! I SO wanted to see this film! Then my cinema buddy got a migraine the one blasted night it was on in our local arthouse cinema…
Will have buy it on DVD. Beautiful pagan female philospher persecuted by evil Christians - it was written for me!
Hi Craig,
Great! It’s a long film and did I mention violent and bloody?
The message is strong and clear and the violence really is part of history.
Be sure and let me know what you think after you see it, k?
Janine,
Yes, I think this may have indeed been written for you.
Awww…damn, I’m sorry you missed seeing it. The DVD at home won’t give it the big screen justice this film deserves. Damn.
Let me know what you think.
I saw the film when it first came out in NYC and loved Weisz’ performance as Hypatia. Amenabar distorts some history in service to his art (the Library didn’t end that way and Synesius wasn’t a jerk), but that’s what artists do. I don’t go to the movies for history. For people who want to know more about the historical Hypatia, I highly recommend a very readable biography “Hypatia of Alexandria” by Maria Dzielska (Harvard University Press, 1995). I also have a series of posts on the historical events and characters in the film at my blog - not a movie review, just a “reel vs. real” discussion.
Faith,
Thanks for your comment. I did check out your blog and it appears you’ve done quite a lot of research on the film. Cool. And thanks for tip on where to learn more about the “true” historical perspective of Hypatia.
For me personally, I just enjoy film for the emotion it evokes in me - and I it’s rare when the director doesn’t re-write history a little…director’s prerogative, I suppose.
Thanks again and thanks for stopping!
Thanks for checking out my blog! As to director’s prerogative, I never fault a director for a little creative license. I truly enjoyed watching Agora and thought it a beautiful film. I’ve been disappointed it didn’t get better distribution in the US. Religious subject matter is always touchy in the heartland. BTW - I agree, the men were very sexy!
Neve: You wrote “It’s a long film and did I mention violent and bloody?” I never saw Mel’s “violent & bloody” bloody” film, but would the v & b be commensurate? If you know? And I’m glad you liked my FB post on feline vs canine diaries :^D
Thanks for commenting derhofnarr - please stop back again, okay?