Agora (2009)

A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning a slave who turns to the rising tide of Christianity in the hope of pursuing freedom while falling in love with his mistress, the famous philosophy and mathematics professor Hypatia of Alexandria. Agora benefits from an incredible perfomance from Rachel Weisz in the title role and Oscar Isaac in a supporting role long before X-Men and Star Wars. The acting from the rest of the cast is also great, the settings and the locations are outstanding and the overall direction superb. Overall a great movie in general even if i didn't like the ending and the fact that some "masks" were thrown down from religions and it's people. (8/10)

This film is very interesting for several reasons, but the main is, in my opinion, going over a troubled period, decisive for the construction of the modern world: in this historical period, the classical culture (Greco-Roman matrix, but absorbing cultural and religious characteristics of other peoples, like the Egyptians) will face a morally motivated Christian community, decided to lie paganism on the ground. This film deals with the collateral damage suffered by scientific knowledge, thanks to Christian fanaticism and association of classical scholars with paganism.While there were several clashes between Christians (mostly because of heresies, which are never spoken in this film), they usually had a more defensive attitude with the heathen, that history remembers as persecutors. This attitude has changed in the end of the Roman Empire, when Christians achieved to be socially important. That's what the film portrays when Christians (particularly Parabolani, volunteers caring for sick and dead without being monks, that later became the bishop's "guards") persecute and kill the heathens. They, in turn, choose to convert, bulk and quickly, to Christianity, which give us the idea that the city, in a few days, went from a pagan majority to a Christian majority. History belies the film: it is a fact that the conversion of the pagans took more than a century. When conflicts portrayed in the film occurred, probably most of the city was already Christian. Conflicts also arise against Jews, being urged by bishop St. Cyril of Alexandria (proof that a saint does not have to be an angel). The conflicts between him and other Christian patriarchs (Antioch, Jerusalem, Byzantium, Rome) are never spoken in the film. Thus, we can conclude that the script, by Alejandro Amenábar (who is also the director) and Mateo Gil, is a pale and highly partial reflection of all these conflicts.The cast, headed by Rachel Weisz and Max Minghella, does a reasonable job. Weisz plays the lead role, Hypatia of Alexandria, a mathematical and astronomer who really existed and is considered one of the brightest minds in the late classical period. Its a very good actress who has made some notable films and shows again her versatility. Minghella also made a good performance as Davus, a platonic lover of Hypatia. Finally, one word to the costumes and scenery: the costumes seem to fit the period and place, with its classical influences; however, I don't believe that Alexandria (in particular its library) were so similar to a pre-classical Egyptian temple, especially if we consider that the city was founded by Alexander the Great and the archaeological excavations reveal a deeply classical city, much like Greek or Italian cities.This film is a fairly regular film: despite neglecting the historical truth in various ways and at various times, and despite the highly partial and negative portrait of Christians, the film shows an interesting time, where a lot has changed very quickly, as well entertains the audience and tells a good story.

A story of fight between Thinking (Philosophy and Mathematics) vs Religion (Christianity) where holy men interprets the Word of GOD for his own gains. It revolves around a young beautiful Greek Philosopher and Mathematician (Hypatia played by Rachel Weisz) and his three students, who also are in deep love with her, in an era of high tensions between Jews, Christians and Pagans.Its 391 – 400 AD. Hypatia is the head of the Platonist school at Alexandria where she is teaching philosophy and Mathematics. Three of her students, Davus (Max Minghella), Orestes (Oscar Isaac) , Synesius (Rupert Evans) have special feelings towards teacher. Orestes has admitted his feelings publicly which was brutally rejected by her. She don't have any such feelings towards anyone of the three. Her only passion and love is Philosophy.With rise of Christianity in Alexandria, everything changes. Pagans being in power tries to power the Christians down, but was outnumbered. In result of this, the raged Christian mob burns down the great library of Alexandria and years of work with it. Hypatia has to run to save her life along with other pagans. Rage of Christians is not limited only to pagans but also towards Jews.Orestes is Prefect of Alexandria, Synesius is Bishop of Cyrene and Davus is a confused Christian. All three have accepted the Christianity in their own way and are still in love. Orestes still loves her and trusts her with all his matters. Cyril is the new head priest and under him Christians are taking liberties day after day for his own interpretations of word of GOD. With Cyril the new head priest, he has his eyes set on power as Prefect of Alexandria.One day, Cyril, while reading from the holy book accused Hypatia of ungodliness and calls her a witch and asks all present to kneel before God to reconcile themselves with Christ make all nonbelievers embrace it too. This puts all three in awkward position. All men present there kneels but one, Orestes. This outraged the Mob and they throw stones over him. Group of Davus plans to abduct her and teach her a lesson.Orestes and Synesius discusses this with Hypatia and tries to make her compromise who dismisses this and leaves the government protections. Davus tries to find her but his group finds her first. Group ridicules her, strips her naked and decides to skin her alive. Davus intervenes and convinces them not to color their hand in her impure blood and suggests to stone her. While the group finds the stones, he suffocates her with his bare hands.The movie shows us in a brutal way that blood was shed in the NAME OF GOD then as it is now. Nothing has been changed. Few radical people interprets the Holy word of God as they want and lure common innocent people into the web of cunning and lies and uses them to their own gains. The plot has uncanny resemblance to the current state of radical Islam and other sectarian conflicts going on these days in middle east. But it avoids to dwell into other romantic subplots and keeps its focus on the fight between science and religion, men over women.It also shows a true love of a genius women for truth. This in itself is hard to digest by the big egoistic holy people. Wrongly interpreted lies, by these SO CALLED HOLY People, feel threatened and in return they do all in their power to save them. They even stop people from questioning and imposes their OWN thoughts by presenting them as word of God. It was clearly evident in the conversation between Hypatia and Synesius where she tell him that "You don't' question what you believe, You cannot. I must". In reply Synesious tells her that its a Pity. This sums up the whole movie.Rachel Weiz was great in role of Hypatia so as Max Minghella and Oscar Isaac. Sets are amazing and take you back to the ancient Greek world. All in all a great movie. A real treat to watch for all those who like to think with open mind.

As a Christian, I have liked this movie so much! It does not only reveal you some history about early christians, but it also teaches you so many things about faith.It does not matter that christians these days are not as combative as they are depicted in this movie, but there are so many other features, we should learn from them! Christians in this movie are depicted as brave, faithful, virtue, god-fearing people, who are steadfast in their faith and are ready to do anything to defend it.Parabalani always stand up for their brothers, they are one big family who are always ready to help the people around.The main character Davus has always liked and respected Hypatia, and at the end of the movie I really liked the scene where Davus knows that Hypatia is about to get killed by his brothers, but he does not renounce nor Hypatia nor his brothers in faith. He acts reasonably. He took care of Hypathia, so she wouldn't suffer much, and at the same time he does not rebel against his brothers to defend her because at some extent he agrees with his brothers that she IS guilty (that's what he believes, and faith is everything for him). He did a good act by supporting both sides at the same time, he got my respect for this decision.And the cast is amazing. The actors are not super famous, and that makes that movie even more interesting. I'm no expert in acting, but in this movie you can clearly see, that the acting is on the highest level. ALL actors were just amazing! I really liked Max Minghella (Davus) and Ashraf Barhom (Ammonius ), their characters were incredibly fascinating! I recommend this movie to all christians! Not sure if non christians will like it as well, but if you're interested in astronomy, history, or middle east, give it a shot ;) It's a great movie :)