Sebastiane (1976)

Directors:

Paul Humfress
Derek Jarman

Writers:

Paul Humfress (writer)
Derek Jarman (writer)

Release Date:

16 October 2008 (Germany)

Genre:

Drama | History | Thriller

Plot:

300 A.D. : the Roman Sebastianus is exiled to a remote outpost populated exclusively by men. Weakened by their desires...

Plot Keywords:

Homosexual | Centurion | Roman | Armor | Horse

Cast

Barney James	...	Severus
Neil Kennedy	...	Maximus
Leonardo Treviglio	...	Sebastiane
Richard Warwick	...	Justin
Donald Dunham	...	Claudius
Daevid Finbar	...	Julian
Ken Hicks	...	Adrian
Lindsay Kemp	...	Dancer
Steffano Massari	...	Marius
Janusz Romanov	...	Anthony
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Peter Hinwood	...	Emperor's guest
Gerald Incandela	...	Leopard Boy
Jordan	...	Emperor's guest
Robert Medley	...	Emperor Diocletian
Philip Sayer	...	Emperor's guest

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

Latin

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:R | Hong Kong:III | New Zealand:R18 | UK:18 | USA:X

Filming Locations:

Cala Domestica, Sardinia, Italy

Company:

Cinegate Ltd.

Trivia:

When asked about the film's nudity, director Derek Jarman is quoted as having said, "We couldn't afford costumes."

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In one scene, the soldiers are seen playing with a modern Frisbee, the logo can even be seen as one of the soldiers catches it.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Post Cards from America (1994)

Beautiful movie

I just found in a Spanish DVD shop this movie. I had seen Edward II and found it odd, but yet interesting. Sebastiane was made in Latin, because Jarman thought strange to be watching a movie about Romans that spoke English. I think it was wise and seductive. The story runs in a smooth way, as if someone with a camera (perhaps thanks to a Time machine,)was hiding to catch those moments. I can't find the scandalous issue here. I find quite natural that between a bunch of men exiled from the city of Rome, violence and desire could rise. Love (and love resistance, and violence and non violence. These are the arguments. I think Jarman made a beautiful movie, sensible, of religious meaning in the case of Sebastiane, and of love and frustration in the case of the Captain. The film reminds me absolutely Golding's "Lord of the flies", as the situation is similar. The film probably lacks passion or interior force, but this was only Jarman's first movie. I recommend this movie as I would Pasolini's "Edipo": I think both movies or perhaps the two director's sensibilities are in touch here.