DVDpendence . videophile
AGORA
With Rachel Weisz, Max Minghella, Oscar Isaac, Rupert Evans, Ashraf Barhom, Michael Lonsdale, Richard Durden
Written by Alejandro Amenábar, Mateo Gil
Directed by Alejandro Amenábar
Set in Roman ruled Egypt in 391AD, this historical drama is based on Hypatia of Alexandria, a female philosopher, professor, scholar and astronomer, fascinated by the world around her and the heavens above. Christianity is on the rise, and comes into conflict with the Atheists and Jews. With new pillars of power rising to take their positions at the top, underhandedness is on the increase with violence erupting, little thought given to the greater effect of these self-interest driven factions. Hypatia finds herself in the middle as an Atheist who wants to study and discover new revelations, but she's seen as a threat. She also finds herself as the central figure with a wealthy and privileged equal and her young slave both infatuated by her. The centuries of Alexandrian study and research of the natural world falls under threat, the Roman law easily swinging its rulings in favour of one movement or the other, gradually driving towards tragedy.
The dilemma of sense and religious-driven emotion comes under scrutiny, and it is impossible not to see this as a reflection of current dogmatic, religious, sexist and factional stresses and conflicts – something this world seems unable to shake. Liberal viewers will find this a frustrating exposition of religious fundamentalism and male dominance set in motion across the millennia.
DVD extras take a look the Production Design, the Costume Design, and includes deleted scenes plus a photo gallery.
4 / B
- Paul Blom
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