Cesare deve morire (2012)

Inmates at a high-security prison in Rome prepare for a public performance of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar."

Directors:

Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani

Writers:

William Shakespeare (play), Paolo Taviani (screenplay)

Stars:

Cosimo Rega, Salvatore Striano, Giovanni Arcuri

16 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Cosimo Rega	...	Cassio
Salvatore Striano	...	Bruto
Giovanni Arcuri	...	Cesare
Antonio Frasca	...	Marcantonio
Juan Dario Bonetti	...	Decio
Vincenzo Gallo	...	Lucio
Rosario Majorana	...	Metello
Francesco De Masi	...	Trebonio
Gennaro Solito	...	Cinna
Vittorio Parrella	...	Casca
Pasquale Crapetti	...	Legionary
Francesco Carusone	...	Fortune Teller
Fabio Rizzuto	...	Stratone
Fabio Cavalli	...	Theatre Director
Maurilio Giaffreda	...	Ottavio

Storyline

In Rebibbia Prison in Italy, its inmate theatre program puts on a well received production of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. The film goes back several months earlier as the coordinators announces the play as the program's production of the year. With that project set, we see its creation as the cast is auditioned and selected for this artistic challenge. As they rehearse, the prisoners, many of whom are long termers and lifers for serious crimes, find that the classic play has both a striking resonance and contrast to their confined lives.

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Plot Keywords:

italy | shakespeare's julius caesar | prison | high security | mafioso | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Unrated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paolo and Vittorio Taviani heard about the prisoners acting program and contacted Fabio Cavalli with the idea of doing Shakespeare's play and shot the whole experience.

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Quotes

Cassio: Ever since I discovered art, this cell has truly become a prison.
[subtitled version]

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Connections

Featured in Film 2017: Episode dated 27 February 2013 (2013)

User Reviews

Brilliant!

I saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival and was blown away! As soon as the movie began, I could tell it was a movie that I should pay attention.

The plot is a performance of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar by a group of real-life prisoners in an Italian prison. I loved how the prisoners could relate to the play by seeing the parallels in their own lives--the power lust, deceit and betrayal. The more the prisoners understood the play, the more they became immersed in their roles.

There have been many attempts to make Shakespeare palatable to the modern audience. This was my favorite iteration because it showed the actors trying to understand it, just as an audience might try to find the relevance. As a high school student, I found Shakespeare and Roman History boring. It wasn't until I hit my 40s did I realize this history was more violent than the Sopranos.

I don't know if this movie has ever been widely released. I highly recommend seeing it if it ever comes to your town.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Japan]

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

2 March 2012 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Caesar Must Die

Filming Locations:

Rebibbia, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Gross USA:

$76,908

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,567,339

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kaos Cinematografica, Stemal Entertainment, Le Talee

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1