Agora (2009)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Alejandro Amenábar

Writers:

Alejandro Amenábar (writer)
Mateo Gil (writer)

Release Date:

18 December 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | History | Romance

Tagline:

Alexandria, Egypt. 391 A.D. The World Changed Forever

Plot:

A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hopes of pursuing freedom while also falling in love with his master, the famous female philosophy professor and atheist Hypatia of Alexandria. |

Plot Keywords:

Ancient Egypt | One Word Title

Cast

Rachel Weisz	...	Hypatia
Max Minghella	...	Davus
Oscar Isaac	...	Orestes
Ashraf Barhom	...	Ammonius
Michael Lonsdale	...	Theon
Rupert Evans	...	Synesius
Richard Durden	...	Olympius
Sami Samir	...	Cyril
Manuel Cauchi	...	Theophilus
Homayoun Ershadi	...	Aspasius
Oshri Cohen	...	Medorus
Harry Borg	...	Prefect Evagrius
Charles Thake	...	Hesiquius
Yousef 'Joe' Sweid	...	Peter
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Andre Agius	...	Boy
Paul Barnes	...	Dignitary 2
Christopher Dingli	...	Student 2
Clint Dyer	...	Hierax
Wesley Ellul	...	Guard #1
Angele Galea	...	Charition
Jordan Kiziuk	...	Hypatia's Disciple
Samuel Montague	...	Theatre Crier
Alan Paris	...	Bodyguard no. 1
Christopher Raikes	...	Hellenistic Man
Amber Rose Revah	...	Sidonia
Charles Sammut	...	Philosopher 1
Juan Serrano	...	Dead jew (extra actor)

Also Known As:

Mists of Time (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

France:141 min | France:128 min (Cannes Film Festival)

Country:

Spain | Malta

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Filming Locations:

Delimara, Malta

Company:

Canal+ España

Trivia:

There were days when shooting had to delay for a few seconds. This was because of the nearby churches of Kalkara, Vittoriosa amongst others which had their bells activated at mid-noon. The bells could be heard from the sets of Ricasoli.

Extraordinary movie-making at its best.

Alejandro Amenábar's masterpiece is a breathtaking excursion into religious fascism and misogynistic tyranny made special by Rachel Weisz, who probably give one of the best female acting performances in years as a scientist who was light years beyond her generation. Weisz is amazing and her performance is the show and then some. She's back up by Max Minghella, who is a great actor in his own right and Oscar Isaac, who is just as good. The triangle between them in believable and touch by their struggles to find their destinies. Its a moving cinematic piece of art and Alejandro does the story proud in his way of capturing the time of struggles of that time. Far and away, the best film I have seen all year.