Agora (2009)

Director:

Alejandro Amenábar

Writers:

Alejandro Amenábar (written by) &
Mateo Gil (written by)

Release Date:

9 October 2009 (Spain)

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 and mathematics professor Hypatia of Alexandria.

Plot Keywords:

Christian | Love | Slave | Philosophy | Christianity

Awards:

9 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Rachel Weisz	...	Hypatia
Max Minghella	...	Davus
Oscar Isaac	...	Orestes
Ashraf Barhom	...	Ammonius
Michael Lonsdale	...	Theon
Rupert Evans	...	Synesius
Homayoun Ershadi	...	Aspasius
Sami Samir	...	Cyril (as Sammy Samir)
Richard Durden	...	Olympius
Omar Mostafa	...	Isidorus
Manuel Cauchi	...	Theophilus
Oshri Cohen	...	Medorus
Charles Thake	...	Hesiquius
Harry Borg	...	Prefect Evragius
Yousef 'Joe' Sweid	...	Peter (as Yousef Sweid)
Clint Dyer	...	Hierax-Parabolano
Sam Cox	...	Pagan Rival
George Harris	...	Heladius Dignitary
Sylvester Morand	...	Dignitary
Paul Barnes	...	Dignitary
Amber Rose Revah	...	Sidonia
Jordan Kiziuk	...	Hypatia's Disciple
Francis Ghersci	...	Hypatia's disciple
Jonathan Grima	...	Hypatia's Disciple
Christopher Dingli	...	Student
Stephen Buhagiar	...	Parabalano
Joseph Camilleri	...	Parabolano
Charles Sammut	...	Philosopher
Michael Sciortino	...	Philosopher
Joe Quattromani	...	Old Philosopher
Alan Meadows	...	Rabbi
Peter Borg	...	Pagan Priest
Portelli Paul	...	Troublemaker
Robert Ricards	...	Roman Officer (as Rob Ricards)
Alan Paris	...	Bodyguard
John Montanaro	...	Bodyguard
Malcolm Ellul	...	Bodyguard
Ray Mangion	...	Crier via Canopica
Mary Rose Bonello	...	Old Jewish Woman
Andre Agius	...	Child
Frederick Testa	...	Christian
Sean Buhagiar	...	Christian student
Theresa Celia	...	Christian Woman (as Theresa Cilia)
Frank Tanti	...	Deacon
Anthony Ellul	...	Deacon
Pierre Stafrace	...	Deacon
Christopher Raikes	...	Frightened Hellenic Man
Clare Agius	...	Frightened Hellenic Woman
Mario Camilleri	...	Alarmed Neighbour
Wesley Ellul	...	Guard
John Marinelli	...	Guard
Simon Cormi	...	Informer (as Simon Curmi)
Peter Galea	...	Roman officer
Nikovich Sammut	...	Roman Officer
Ronnie Galea	...	Ship's Captain
David Ellul-Mercer	...	Slave (as David Ellul)
Philip Mizzi	...	Surgeon (as Phillip Mizzi)
Alan Azzopardi	...	Suspicious Jew
Polly March	...	Woman with figs
Joe Pace	...	Stallkeeper
John Suda	...	Customer
Michael Tabone	...	Rabbi
Angele Galea	...	Charition
Malcolm Galea	...	Charition's Brother
Paul Celia	...	Indian King (as Paul Cilia)
Jean-Pierre Agius	...	Clown (as Jean Pierre Agius)
Samuel Montague	...	Crier (as Sam Montague)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marieclaire Camilleri	...	Jewish Girl (uncredited)
Edward Caruana Galizia	...	Student (uncredited)
Guilherme de Franco	...	Roman Officer (uncredited)
Juan Serrano	...	Dead Jew (uncredited)
Novica Todorovic	...	Parabalano Fighter (uncredited)

Directed by
Alejandro Amenábar

Writing credits
Alejandro Amenábar		(written by) &
Mateo Gil		(written by)

Produced by
Álvaro Augustín	....	producer
Fernando Bovaira	....	producer
Simón de Santiago	....	executive producer
José Luis Escolar	....	line producer
Jaime Ortiz de Artiñano	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Dario Marianelli

Cinematography by
Xavi Giménez

Film Editing by
Nacho Ruiz Capillas

Casting by
Jina Jay
Edward Said

Production Design by
Guy Hendrix Dyas

Art Direction by
Dominique Arcadio
Matthew Gray
Stuart Kearns
Jason Knox-Johnston
Frank Walsh		(supervising art director)

Set Decoration by
Larry Dias

Costume Design by
Gabriella Pescucci

Makeup Department
Mónica Alarcón	....	special makeup effects technician
Emma Beard	....	assistant hair stylist
Maxime Boquier	....	special makeup effects technician
Chantal Busuttil	....	makeup artist
Jana Carboni	....	makeup artist
Stefano Ceccarelli	....	hairs stylist
Mavis Formosa	....	hair assistant coordinator
Sònia Gardés	....	special makeup effects technician (as Sonia Gardes)
Marcelle Genovese	....	hair coordinator
Marcelle Genovese	....	makeup coordinator
Jackie Grima	....	makeup artist
Karen Schembri Grima	....	makeup artist
Graham Johnston	....	hair designer: Ms. Weiss
Graham Johnston	....	makeup designer: Ms. Weiss
David Martí	....	special makeup effects artist
David Martí	....	special makeup effects supervisor
José M. Meneses	....	special makeup effects technician (as Jose Manuel Meneses)
Rubén Mármol	....	makeup effects technician
Pablo Perona Navarro	....	special makeup effects technician (as Pablo Perona)
Rossana Parker	....	makeup artist
Montse Ribé	....	special makeup effects supervisor
Floris Schuller	....	silicone prosthetics technician: DDT Crew
Floris Schuller	....	special makeup effects technician
Juan Serrano	....	special makeup effects technician
Jan Sewell	....	makeup designer
Matteo Silvi	....	makeup artist
Lesley Smith	....	key makeup artist
Suzanne Stokes-Munton	....	hair designer
Aleix Torrecillas	....	special makeup effects technician

Production Management
Carlos Ruiz Boceta	....	unit manager
Oliver Mallia	....	production supervisor
Gina Marsh	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Colin Azzopardi	....	second second assistant director
Robert Bonello	....	third assistant director
Frank Briffa	....	trainee assistant director
Luis Casacuberta	....	second assistant director
Javier Chinchilla	....	first assistant director
Pierre Ellul	....	second assistant director: second unit
José Luis Escolar	....	first assistant director: second unit
Julian Galea	....	third assistant director
Mateo Gil	....	second unit director
Ben Lanning	....	second second assistant director
Carlos Santana	....	second assistant director
Mónica Sánchez	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Frans Agius	....	greensman
Jeremy Agius	....	painter
Jeremy Agius	....	propsman
Ruth Ancilleri	....	junior draughtsperson
Carmen Aragon	....	set dresser
Chris Bonello	....	art department coordinator
Robert Philip Bonello	....	calligraphy artist
Antonio Calvo-Dominguez	....	assistant art director
Daniela Camilleri	....	props coordinator
Mario L. Cassar	....	propsman
Lino Chetcuti	....	supervising signwriter/scenic
Lisa Chugg	....	assistant set decorator
Gábor Csiki	....	propmaker
Charlo Dalli	....	art director: set dressing
Giancarlo Di Fusco	....	painter
Mark Anthony Ellul	....	set dressing buyer
Raymond Ellul	....	assistant construction manager
Roberta Federico	....	assistant art director: prep
Emmanuel Fenech	....	head sculptor
Emmanuel Fenech	....	molder
Charlie Galea	....	propman
Luca Giampaoli	....	metal propmaker
Emma Hanson	....	sculptor
Geoff Hubbard	....	hod carpenter (as Martin Hubbard)
Charles Jellis	....	set dresser
Chris Kitisakkul	....	assistant art director
Simon Law	....	construction coordinator
Andrew Laybats	....	hod painter
Charles Leatherland	....	assistant art director
Matteo Mariotti	....	set designer
Patrick Thomas McManus	....	construction buyer
Nick Milner	....	supervising propman
Stefano Morbidelli	....	propmaker
Antonio Murer	....	head propmaker
Francis Muscat	....	sculptor
Steve Payne	....	supervising props
Kimberley Pope	....	concept artist
Stefan Priehyba	....	senior sculptor
Roderick Pulis	....	chargehand welder
Tania Pullicino	....	calligrapher
Graeme Purdy	....	property master
Malcolm Roberts	....	construction manager
Danilo Rossiello	....	greensmaster
Rocio Sainz Herrero	....	art department assistant
Monica Sallustio	....	assistant art director
Edward Seychell	....	props leather man
Trey Shaffer	....	graphic designer
Mike Sotheran	....	hod painter
Zoltán Szalkai	....	storeman
Sophie Tarver	....	prop moulder
Leonard Underwood	....	painter
Lucy van Lonkhuyzen	....	assistant set decorator
Robert Voysey	....	assistant construction manager
Stephen Watts	....	hod plasterer (as Steve Watts)
Gaia Zambelli	....	assistant set decorator
Rodrigo M. de Miguel	....	art department production assistant (uncredited)
Rohan Harris	....	scenic artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Hugo Adams	....	foley editor
Hugo Adams	....	sound effects recordist
Niv Adiri	....	sound effects editor
Jorge Adrados	....	sound mixer: second unit
Philippe Amouroux	....	foley recordist
Ben Barker	....	sound effects editor
Nicolas Becker	....	foley artist
Nicolas Becker	....	post sound recordist
Robert Bonello	....	boom operator: second unit
Sandy Buchanan	....	adr recordist
Andrew Caller	....	sound mix technician
Colin Cooper	....	assistant dialogue editor
Gillian Dodders	....	dialogue editor
Mike Dowson	....	sound re-recording mixer
Sergio Fernández	....	dubbing recorder
Danny Freemantle	....	assistant sound editor
Glenn Freemantle	....	sound designer
Glenn Freemantle	....	supervising sound editor
Peter Gleaves	....	adr mixer
Peter Glossop	....	sound mixer
Markus Glunz	....	adr recordist
Mario González	....	sound recordist
Rick Gould	....	adr recordist
Lee Herrick	....	dialog and adr supervisor
Rachel Horner	....	trainee sound editor
Andy Kennedy	....	sound effects editor
Shaun Mills	....	boom operator
Richard Pryke	....	sound re-recording mixer
Tom Sayers	....	sound designer
Adam Scrivener	....	assistant sound re-recording mixer
Ian Tapp	....	sound re-recording mixer

Special Effects by
Adam Aitken	....	special effects plasterer
Adrian Aitken	....	special effects supervising plasterer
Alex Aitken	....	special effects plasterer
Felix Attard	....	special effects plasterer
James Birtchnell	....	special effects plasterer
Maxime Boquier	....	special effects makeup: DDT SFX Crew
Martin Butters	....	special effects plasterer
Paul Anthony Cachia	....	special effects plasterer
Joe Calleja	....	special effects technician (as Joseph Calleja)
Kevin Carter	....	special effects contact lenses
Kenneth Cassar	....	special effects coordinator
James Davis III	....	special effects senior technician
James Davis	....	senior special effects technician
Mickey Edwards	....	special effects technician
Sander Ellers	....	special effects technician (as Alexander Martin Ellers)
Andy Frazer	....	senior special effects technician: workshop (as Andy Fraser)
Joe Galleja	....	special effects technician: Malta
Robert Grech	....	special effects plasterer
Robert Grech	....	special effects technician
Graham Hills	....	senior special effects technician: floor supervisor
Matt Lewis	....	senior special effects technician: workshop (as Matty Lewis)
Glenn Marsh	....	special effects technician
José M. Meneses	....	special effects technician: DDT
Johann Mifsud	....	special effects technician
Jordi Morera	....	special effects makeup: DDT SFX Crew
Craig Narramore	....	special effects technician
Pablo Perona Navarro	....	special makeup effects artist: DDT SFX Crew
Karl Openshaw	....	special effects technician
Russell Pritchett	....	special effects technician
Chris Reynolds	....	special effects supervisor
Neil Reynolds	....	special effects technician
Jon Savage	....	special effects technician (as John Savage)
Juan Serrano	....	special effects technician: DDT SFX
Colin Tilley	....	special effects technician
Aleix Torrecillas	....	special makeup effects DDT crew
Mark Vanstone	....	special effects technician

Visual Effects by
Ricardo Abella	....	computer graphics artist
Nike Alonso	....	visual effects producer
Sonsoles Aranguren	....	compositor
Belén Arsuaga	....	digital matte artist
Mario Bailon	....	computer graphics artist
Jose Luis Barreiro	....	computer graphics artist
Félix Bergés	....	visual effects supervisor
Luis Blasco	....	digital compositor
Kepa Casado	....	computer graphics artist
Kepa Casado	....	visual effects
Segundo Casero	....	computer graphics artist
Bahar Cetin	....	compositor
Pilar Cienfuegos	....	compositor
Ignacio Luis de Redin	....	computer graphics artist
Aníbal del Busto	....	digital intermediate editor
Eduardo Díaz	....	digital compositor
Eduardo Díaz	....	visual effects supervisor
Gaston Emery	....	computer graphics artist
Gaston Emery	....	visual effects
David Esteve	....	digital compositor
Ache Garcia	....	computer graphics artist
Javier García Plaza	....	compositor (as Javier Garcia-Plaza)
Ñaña González	....	compositor
Juan Luis Gorjon	....	computer graphics artist
Juan Luis Gorjon	....	preview animator
David Hernandez	....	computer graphics artist
Jorge Pablo Hernandez	....	computer graphics artist
Pablo Hernández-Meléndez	....	senior cgi artist
Jaime Justo	....	computer graphics artist
Ezequiel Larrú	....	compositor (as Ezequiel Larru Cuevas)
Ezequiel Larrú	....	digital effects artist
Javier Leon	....	computer graphics artist
Javier Leon	....	visual effects
Alberto Llamosas	....	computer graphics artist
Alberto Luceño	....	CGI artist
Álvaro Martínez Berganza	....	computer graphics artist
Inma Nadela	....	digital compositor
Matías Nieto	....	texture photographer
Guillermo Orbe	....	compositing supervisor
Guillermo Orbe	....	digital compositor
Sergio Pinto	....	computer graphics artist
Sergio Pinto	....	visual effects
Magoga Piñas	....	CG supervisor
Ramón Ramos	....	compositor
Ramón Ramos	....	digital effects artist
Thorsten Rienth	....	compositor
Thorsten Rienth	....	digital effects artist
Thorsten Rienth	....	matte painter
Rubén Sanz	....	visual effects technical director
Rafa Solorzano	....	on-set visual effects (as Rafael Solorzano)
Carlos Trijueque	....	digital compositor
Santiago Verdugo	....	digital matte artist
Dani Villalba	....	computer graphics artist
Dani Villalba	....	visual effects

Stunts
Steve Abela	....	co-stunt coordinator
Antonio Arnalte	....	stunts
Mark Attard	....	stunts
Claudio Azzopardi	....	stunts
Raymond Borg	....	stunts
Marius Camilieri	....	stunts
Chris Camilleri	....	stunts
David Camilleri	....	stunts
Donald Camilleri	....	stunts
Kenneth Camilleri	....	stunts
Jordi Casares	....	stunt coordinator
James Cutajar	....	stunts
Andre Degabriele	....	stunts
Dominic Ellul	....	stunts
Roman Jankovic	....	stunts
Philippe Losson	....	stunts
Francesco Luperini	....	stunt coordinator
Domonkos Pardanyi	....	stunts
Karl Mark Psaila	....	stunts
Wolfgang Raach	....	stunt double: Michael Lansdale'
César Solar	....	stunts
Amie Stephenson	....	stunts
Cuco Usín	....	stunts
Kevin Valletta	....	stunts
Shaun Wallace	....	stunt performer
Shaun Wallace	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Igor Andrés	....	video assistant
Carlos Balsera	....	vfx video assist
Ferran Calvó	....	second assistant: "b" camera
Albert Carreras	....	camera operator
Francesc Carreras	....	first assistant camera
Maria Caruana Galizia	....	making-of-crew: camera
Salva Castellarnau	....	grip
Rebecca Cremona	....	second video assist
Rebecca Cremona	....	video assist: second unit
Beatriz Delgado	....	assistant camera
Steven Desbrow	....	aerial director of photography
Roberto Escudero	....	electrician
David Farrugia	....	lighting technician
Óscar Faura	....	director of photography: second unit
Manel Fernández	....	best boy electric
Ingo Gardner	....	balloon light technician
Javier González Leonardo	....	key grip
Juan Carlos Gorriz	....	first assistant: "b" camera
Javier Guerrero	....	best boy electrician
Guillem Huertas	....	first assistant camera:second unit
Josu Inchaustegui	....	steadicam operator: "b" camera
Teresa Isasi	....	still photographer
José Ángel Manrique	....	best boy grip
Alvaro Morales	....	grip
Diego Moyano	....	electrician
Raúl Peña	....	electrician
John Preca Trapani	....	second assistant camera: second unit
José Luis Rodríguez	....	gaffer
Carsten Thoms	....	balloon light technician

Casting Department
Nicole Blackman	....	extras casting assistant: Malta
Miroslav Milanovic Miki	....	extras casting assistant
Edward Said	....	casting: Malta
Cathleen Tanti	....	extras casting coordinator
Slavko Vukanovic	....	extras casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Barbara Adducci	....	costume coordinator
Carmen Agius	....	set costumer
Carmen Agius	....	wardrobe assistant
Gina Bonello	....	cast dresser
Ernest Camilleri	....	set costumer
Giovanni Casalnuovo	....	costume supervisor
Charo Diego	....	additional costumer
Giampaolo Grassi	....	leather master
Silvia Guidoni	....	specialty costumer
Rebecca Higginson	....	personal costumer
Enrica Iacoboni	....	crowd dresser
Giovanni Lipari	....	key costumer
Francesco Luperini	....	extras costume coordinator
Rossano Marchi	....	assistant costume designer
Leticia Palomares	....	additional costume assistant
Enzo Serafino Pellegrino	....	head ager and dyer (as Serafino Pellegrino)
Uliva Pizzetti	....	costume supervisor
José Salvio	....	dyer
Giada Tricomi	....	crowd dresser
Aleanza Zanon	....	assistant leather master

Editorial Department
Juanjo Carretero	....	digital intermediate supervisor
Miguel P. Gilaberte	....	digital intermediate colorist (as Miguel Perez Gilaberte)
Carolina Martínez Urbina	....	assistant editor
Wade Odlum	....	colorist: high-definition dailies
Marc Richardson	....	trainee editor

Music Department
Chris Barrett	....	assistant score engineer (as Chris Barret)
Olga de Bartolomé	....	music supervisor
James Bellamy	....	supervising music editor
Tom Bullen	....	assistant score engineer
Clarissa Farrán	....	musicians contractor
Lucio Godoy	....	composer: additional music
Juan Pablo González Saccone	....	additional recordist
Aidan Grounds	....	music production runner
Mike Hornett	....	music preparation
Jody Jenkins	....	music programmer
Tony Lewis	....	music editor
Laurence Love Greed	....	assistant score engineer (as Lawrence Greed)
Dario Marianelli	....	orchestrator
Colin Rae	....	music preparation
Maggie Rodford	....	score coordinator
Hilary Skewes	....	musicians contractor
Bertie Spiegelberg	....	assistant music editor
Nick Taylor	....	assistant score engineer
Benjamin Wallfisch	....	conductor
Benjamin Wallfisch	....	orchestrator
Rolf Wilson	....	orchestra leader
Nick Wollage	....	score engineer & mixer
Nick Wollage	....	score mixer
Nick Wollage	....	score recordist
Helen Yates	....	score assistant

Transportation Department
Charles Buhagiar	....	unit driver
Lorraine Kollar	....	transportation captain
Christian Mallia	....	transportation coordinator

Other crew
Pierre Agius	....	assistant location manager
Pablo Alfaro	....	general administration
Ester Altores	....	accountant
Rebecca Anastasi	....	production coordinator
Cora Balzan	....	production secretary
Isaac Borg	....	marine coordinator
James Buhagiar	....	horse wrangler
Michel Burstein	....	press attache: France
Marieclaire Camilleri	....	production assistant
Mario Camilleri	....	medical service
Marsiella Camilleri	....	location assistant
Matthew Camilleri	....	assistant location manager
Conrad Catania	....	hairstylist
Leila Djebali	....	trainee production assistant
Urko Errazquin	....	marketing
Neil Anthony Fenech	....	animal keeper
Sandra Frieze	....	dialogue coach
Louise Caruana Galizia	....	crowd marshall
Rosa Garcia Merino	....	director of communication
Jan Garcia	....	business affairs
Ryan Gatt	....	production assistant
Nigel Gray	....	metal work
Roberto Gregorio	....	head wrangler
Martina Guillaumier	....	historical researcher
Ángel Gómez Fernández	....	horse master
Rena Hanover	....	production assistant
Susana Herreras	....	head of development
Walter Leonard	....	translator
Fernando Martin	....	dog trainer assistant
Ruth Martín	....	production assistant
Laura Mateos	....	production accountant
Libi Molnar	....	assistant: Ms. Weisz
Juan Moreno	....	production staff
Ali Moshref	....	financial controller
Trilby Norton	....	production coordinator
Chris Nunn	....	rushes runner (as Chris Nunn)
Lita O'Sullivan	....	location accountant
David Olivares	....	production coordinator
James Ordonez	....	executive in charge of financing: Tayrona entertainment group
Maria Palazon	....	assistant production coordinator
Saray Perez	....	assistant accountant
Justin Pollard	....	historical advisor
Joanna Price	....	assistant accountant
Nikovich Sammut	....	horse wrangler coordinator
Mark Sansone	....	location manager
Thomas Schembri	....	crowd marshall
Carmen Soriano	....	script supervisor
Josh Spero	....	Greek adviser
José Tamayo Fernández	....	production assistant
Patricia Tejedor	....	production secretary
Antonio Valor	....	dog trainer
Marta Verdugo Pastor	....	production assistant
Erika Zanetti	....	helicopter pilot
Rocío Zarzana	....	location sets
Rik Walters	....	financing consultant (uncredited)

Thanks
Alfonso Cuarón	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Mod Producciones
• Himenóptero
• Telecinco Cinema
• Canal+ España (with the participation of)
• Cinebiss (production services)

Distributors

• Benelux Film Distributors (2010) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Distribution Company (2010) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• GAGA (2011) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Mikado Film (2010) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Miramax (2010) (India) (theatrical)
• Newmarket Films (2010) (USA) (theatrical)
• Paramount Pictures (2010) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Paramount Pictures (2010) (UK) (theatrical)
• Shaw Organisation (2010) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Svensk Filmindustri (SF) (2010) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (2009) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Castello Lopes Multimédia (2009) (Portugal) (all media)
• CatchPlay (2010) (Taiwan) (all media)
• Empire (2010) (Romania) (DVD)
• FS Film (2010) (Finland) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Film1 (2011) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited)
• Flashstar (2011) (Brazil) (DVD)
• IPA Asia Pacific (2009) (Thailand) (all media)
• Lionsgate
• Mars Distribution (2010) (France) (all media)
• Odeon (2009) (Greece) (all media)
• Paradise Group (2009) (Russia) (all media)
• Prorom Media-Trade (2010) (Romania) (all media)
• Universal Pictures (2010) (Germany) (DVD)
• Video Film Express (2010) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Video Film Express (2010) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)

Special Effects

• All Effects (special effects equipment)
• DDT Efectos Especiales (prosthetics special effects makeup)
• El Ranchito (visual effects)

Other Companies

• AGM Productions  french dubbing
• ARRI Rental  camera and video equipment
• ARRI Rental  electric equipment
• ARRI Rental  grip equipment
• Aerial Camera Systems (ACS)  helicopter camera mount (as ACS France)
• Aerial Camera Systems (ACS)  helicopter gyrostabilized camera system
• Air Lyndhurst Studios  music recorded at
• Air-Edel Associates  music mixed at
• Alex Rose Wig Company  wigs (as Alex Rouse Wig Co.)
• Arri Rental  camera equipment provided by
• Audiolink Radio Communications  PA system
• Audiolink Radio Communications  walkie talkies
• Balloon-Light  electric equipment (as Balloonlight)
• Bossa Nova  publicity: France
• Buick Productions  musicians contractor
• Calle Cruzada  production services
• Cinebiss  production services
• Cornejo  costumes hire and manufacture
• De Lane Lea  adr recorded at (as De Lane Lea Studios)
• Dolby Laboratories  sound mix
• Fotofilm deluxe  digital intermediate
• GPH Rome  costumes hire and manufacture (as GPH s.r.l.)
• Hyperactive Broadcast  Avid rental
• Icarus Helicopters  helicopter (as Icarus S.c.r.l.)
• Jordi  costumes hire and manufacture
• Kerber Securities  security services
• Les Auditoriums de Joinville  foley recorded at (as Auditoriums de Joinville)
• Midnight Digital  dailies
• Movietech  camera consumables
• Nimar Studios  costumes hire and manufacture
• Obbi Stock Snc Di Prato  costumes hire and manufacture (as OB Stock)
• On Tour Productions  special thanks
• PMD Magnetics  camera consumables
• Paramount Transportation Services  transportation services
• Pinewood Studios  re-recorded at
• Rafael Servicios de Catering  catering (as Rafael Catering)
• Rocchetti e Rocchetti  wigs (as Rocchetti & Rocchetti)
• Servicevision System S.A.  grip equipment (as Service Vision System)
• Sound 24  sound design and post-production (as Sound24)
• Synergy Vocals  choir
• System Grip  grip equipment
• Tayrona Entertainment Group  funding (P&A)
• Temple Studios  adr recording: Malta
• Tirelli Costumi  costumes hire and manufacture
• Warner Music Spain  soundtrack
• Wig Facilities  wigs

Also Known As:

"Alexandria" - Japan (English title) (imdb display title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some violence

Runtime:

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

Country:

Spain

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Portugal:M/12 | France:U | Singapore:M18 | Hong Kong:IIB | Sweden:11 | Italy:T | Netherlands:16 | Canada:14A (British Columbia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | USA:R (certificate #46364) | Australia:MA | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Japan:G | Argentina:13 | Spain:13 | Chile:TE | Finland:K-15

Filming Locations:

Delimara, Malta

Company:

Mod Producciones

Trivia:

Originally, Alejandro Amenábar wanted Rachel Weisz, Sacha Baron Cohen and Jonathan Rhys Meyers to appear in the film. After reading the screenplay, Weisz did accept the part of Hypatia, however, Baron Cohen turned it down declaring that it was "too prickly, and it would lift sores".

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Images of earth from space show twinkling stars. The twinkling of stars only happens because their light is disrupted as it passes through the atmosphere, so stars seen from space should not twinkle.

Quotes:

Heladius Dignitary:The majority of us here... have accepted Christ. Why not the rest of you? It's only a matter of time and you know it.
Hypatia:Really? It is just a matter of time?... As far as I am aware, your God has not yet proved himself to be more just or more merciful than his predecessors. Is it really just a matter of time before I accept your faith?
Heladius Dignitary:Why should this assembly accept the council of someone who admittedly believes in absolutely nothing?
Hypatia:I believe in philosophy.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #18.92" (2010)

a good movie but overambitious

I was familiar with the Hypatia story because a certain category of people in my native country choose to present here as a martyr from a bygone golden age of reason, rapidly receding before the encompassing waves of Cristian barbarity and obscurantism. I think in general this is also the view this movie takes.

The character of Hypatia is presented as logical, brilliant, prudent with thirst for learning for it's own sake. The only problem that a modern sensibility could find with her is her attitude towards slaves, which seem to reflect the ideas of the educated elite of the times(of antiquity in general because even people of the calibre of Aristotle shared such conceptions). Otherwise she is perfect.

In a very imperfect world one must note, because the society she lives in is convulsed by civil strife and feuds between Christians, Pagans and Jews.As the movie progresses they eventually become Christian and Jews because Pagans convert to Christianity because of the attitudes of imperial authority and political expediency. Although this is not fully explained, how a very powerful pagan element becomes impotent in the second half of the movie. I think the scenario is problematic there.

Also the beliefs of the group in which Hypatia belongs are not really clarified. There were pagan, believers of the aegypian Gods(there is a statue of Serapis), of Greek Gods of Roman Gods or just agnostic rationalists(as Hypatia seems to be) belonging to a pagan upper class environment? On the other side, the Christian, the "Parabalanoi" whose existence I have not verified as a social group or lay monastic order or something in between, are presented as a bunch of idiotic thugs, the equivalent of modern hooligans with a religious veneer, keen to kill, pillage and rape(although this is hinted rather discreetly)supposedly in the name of Jesus.

The leader of the Christians Cyril-a historical personage who became a saint, as the final titles of the movie correctly state, is portrayed as a power-hungry(there is scene in which he avidly takes the bishop's ring from the hand of his dead predecessor), manipulative bigot. His aim is to become master of Alexandria and Christianity is his tool, while the Prefect-the political authority- stands in his way.The Prefect, being a former student of Hypatia is advised by her, thus she earns the enmity of Cyril- with fatal results. His portrayal matches with a sketch of him by Bertrand Russell in "History of Western Philosophy":"St Cyril, the advocate of unity, was a man of fanatical zeal. He used his position as patriarch to incite pogroms against the very large Jewish colony in Alexandria. His chief claim to fame is the lynching of Hypatia, a distinguished lady who, in an age of bigotry, adhered to the Neoplatonic philosophy and devoted her talents to mathematics." The way he is in the movie seems inspired by this passage, as if the makers of the movie were based on that. Nevertheless it was effective since they made the viewers find despicable a man dead by 1.600 years.

There is only one scene where the Christian religion is presented with some sympathy and that is where the slave(who is secretly in love with his mistress Hypatia) is convinced to exercise the virtue of charity, by an otherwise negatively portrayed zealot(Ammonius), through giving food(bread)to the poor, who are many and needy. It is a moving scene and the sole in movie akin to present Christianity in a positive light.

Religious struggle is presented as a power struggle, which may be correct when one leaves the realm of individual conscience and enters the public arena. Pagans, Christians and Jews(both people and leaders) are equally bad, the worse being the Christian zealots "Parabolani", to which a freed slave of Hypatia now belongs. Orestes, the Prefect, a former student of Hypatia, is better as a character than Cyril or Synesius, another student of Hypatia, now a high-class Church dignitary.(One though is left with the impression that Hypatia operated the Harvard of her times!) The end of the movie, presents a view of events censored compared to the one we have from historical sources, as to what exactly happened to Hypatia.

I think that the actress playing Hypatia is fine and convincing as a free spirit in an age of bigotry and also good is the performance of her two unconsummated would-be-lovers the aristocrat and latter Prefect Orestes and the slave and latter Christian zealot, Davus. The actor playing Cyril conveys the aura of sliminess and bigotry of a religious power-player.

Scenery and costumes are superb to watch but I do not know enough about Alexandrian geography and clothing habits to vouch for their historical accuracy.

It is a movie worth seen although it leaves a bitter taste in the end and tries to say and mix too many and too weighty matters in the brief span of a cinematic exhibition.