Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes explained

Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes
Director:Robert Schwentke
Music:Martin Todsharow
Cinematography:Benoit Debie
Editing:Michał Czarnecki
Runtime:112 minutes
Language:English

Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes (German: '''Seneca – Oder: Über die Geburt von Erdbeben''') is a 2023 German-Moroccan historical drama dark comedy film directed by Robert Schwentke, starring John Malkovich as Seneca.[1] The film is about the last days of the ancient philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca and the beginnings of Emperor Nero's despotic regime in Ancient Rome.

The film marks one of Julian Sands' final roles, being released following his disappearance in the San Gabriel Mountains in January 2023 and prior to the discovery of his body. The movie was selected at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival in Berlinale Special Gala, where it had its world premiere on 20 February 2023.[2] It was released in cinemas on 23 March 2023.

Plot

Emperor Claudius banishes Seneca to Corsica and then marries young Agrippina. Later, she requests to Claudius that Seneca becomes tutor to their 12-year-old son Nero. Seneca returns and stands by Nero for several years, exerting a great influence on him, even after he becomes emperor. In 65 AD, Nero struggles to defend his tyrannical claim to sovereignty. Seneca, accused of being part of a conspiracy against Nero, is ordered to kill himself.

Production

Filming began on 25 September 2021 in the southern Moroccan city of Ouarzazate.[3] On 29 October 2021, the schedule was completed.[4]

Release

Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes had its premiere on 20 February 2023 as part of the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival, in Berlinale Gala Special. It was screened at the 54th International Film Festival of India in 'Cinema of the World' section on 25 November 2023.[5]

It was released in cinemas on 23 March 2023.[6]

It was reported in December 2022 that Picture Tree Intl, a Berlin-based sales company has taken up the sale of the film.[7]

Reception

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes website, the film has an approval rating of 29% based on 7 reviews, with an average rating of 1.7/10.[8]

Wendy Ide for ScreenDaily wrote in review that "It’s a film that features a lot of empty posturing, extravagant wigs, distracting set design full of stuff that is inexplicably on fire in the background, and numerous over-masticated performances."[9] Stephen Farber of The Hollywood Reporter calling the film "lame historical lampoon" wrote, "The problem is with the underlying conception. Schwentke’s attempt to create a parable of the decline of the American empire seems mainly forced and fatuous."[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Robert Schwentke's 'Seneca - On The Creation Of Earthquakes' adds international cast. Blaney . Martin . February 6, 2023 . en . September 27, 2021. ScreenDaily.
  2. Web site: Berlin Fest Adds World Premieres of John Malkovich's 'Seneca,' Alex Gibney's Boris Becker Doc . Scott Roxborough. Screen Daily. 20 December 2022. 6 February 2023.
  3. Web site: Robert Schwentke feiert Drehstart von "Seneca" in Marokko. Robert Schwentke celebrates the start of shooting of "Seneca" in Morocco. 27 September 2022. February 6, 2023 . Blickpunkt:Film . de.
  4. Web site: Seneca On the Creation of Earthquakes (Internationaler Englischer Titel), Seneca - oder: Über die Geburt von Erdbeben (Arbeitstitel). Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes. Crew United . 5 February 2023 . 6 February 2023. de.
  5. Web site: Cinema of the World . 20 November 2023. 24 November 2023. IFFI.
  6. Web site: "Seneca": "Dark"-Star und Makovich in neuem Film von Robert Schwentke. "Seneca": "Dark" star and Makovich in new film by Robert Schwentke. Maike Karr. film.at . 16 December 2022. 6 February 2023.
  7. Web site: Berlinale-Bound 'Seneca,' Starring John Malkovich, Picked Up by Picture Tree Intl., Teaser Debuts (EXCLUSIVE). Barraclough . Leo . 20 December 2022. 6 February 2023. Variety.
  8. Seneca - On The Creation Of Earthquakes (Drama 2023) . seneca_on_the_creation_of_earthquakes . m . 24 November 2023.
  9. Web site: Seneca - On The Creation Of Earthquakes: Berlin Review. Wendy . Ide . 21 February 2023 . 21 February 2023 . ScreenDaily. en.
  10. Web site: 'Seneca - On The Creation Of Earthquakes': Berlin Review. Stephen . Farber . 20 February 2023. 21 February 2023 . Hollywood Reporter . en.
  11. Web site: Die Vorauswahl zum Deutschen Filmpreis steht fest. The pre-selection for the German Film Awards has been made. 16 January 2023. 6 February 2023. German Film Academy. de.
  12. Web site: Vorauswahl 2023. Preselection 2023. 16 January 2023. 6 February 2023. German Film Award. de.